Aire Serv ® Heating & Air Conditioning, a national Franchise for HVAC service and repair, has announced a working relationship with Excellence Alliance (EAI), a national association of independent HVAC contractors, effective immediately.

In an unprecedented venture, a national franchise group and a national contractors group are joining forces to maximize their strengths as well as make Franchise Opportunities available to some of EAI's independent contractors.

Doyle James, president of Aire Serv, said that while the two companies traditionally may be viewed as competitors, this relationship proved beneficial to both parties.

"We are stronger together than we would be apart," James said.

In the agreement, Aire Serv has made a financial investment in EAI in return for access to EAI's intellectual property, making EAI materials and rebates on EAI purchases available to Aire Serv franchisees. Additionally, many of EAI's members who are smaller independent contractors in need of a greater level of support will be exposed to franchise opportunities through Aire Serv.

"I was very impressed with the high-level support staff that The Dwyer Group has for its franchise groups," said Don Schmitt, president and CEO of Excellence Alliance. "We feel this relationship is a win-win for everyone involved."

James said there is little crossover in the markets covered by Aire Serv franchisees as opposed to EAI members. He added that the Aire Serv Franchise Opportunity makes sense for HVAC contractors of a certain size needing more in-depth assistance to grow their businesses such as: a national brand name, exclusive territories, systemized marketing and management support and training, as well as collective buying power. Meanwhile, EAI membership makes sense to another level of business that operates independently but still wants the benefits of EAI's resources, training and networking opportunities. Together, EAI and Aire Serv project great room for expansion of their respective organizations.

About Aire Serv:
Aire ServR Heating and Air Conditioning is a global franchise organization made up primarily of independent HVAC contractors who want a systemized way to produce results in their business. Aire Serv has been nationally recognized by Entrepreneur magazine's "Top 500 Franchises," Success Magazine 's "Franchise Gold 200" and "Top 200 - Franchisee Satisfaction Ranking," and Income Opportunities' "Platinum 200." It is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc., one of the world's largest franchise holding companies in the residential and commercial service business.

About The Dwyer Group:
The Dwyer Group Inc., based in Waco , Texas , is a holding company that owns six franchisor corporations and Dwyer Group National Accounts. Each franchise business sells and supports a different service-based brand name franchise under the following service marks: Aire Serv ® Heating & Air Conditioning, Glass Doctor ® , Mr. Appliance ® , Mr. Electric ® , Mr. Rooter ® (Drain Doctor ® in the UK), and Rainbow International ® Restoration and Cleaning. Collectively, the franchisees of these franchise concepts offer customers a broad base of residential and commercial services. Dwyer is a portfolio company of The Riverside Company, a private equity firm with offices in New York , Cleveland , Dallas and San Francisco . Riverside acquired Dwyer in a public-to-private transaction in October 2003.