In a flurry of deburring, swaging, bending and flaring, one HVAC/R technician rose to the top of the leaderboard during this year’s Fastest Hands in HVAC/R contest held during the AHR Convention in Orlando, Florida.

Evan Gutman, 22, Doylestown, PA, a technician with Doylestown Air, was sitting in first place out of 350 competitors after the initial round of competition, which involved deburring and swaging both ends of a copper tube. Gutman completed this task in just 17.7 seconds. He, along with 15 other competitors, went on to complete other common tasks called for on the job until the field was narrowed to four.

In the final timed event, the remaining competitors were required to demonstrate proper refrigerant recovery and vacuum pump evacuation techniques.

Gutman completed the final task in 39.6 seconds, a full ten seconds ahead of the second place finisher. He will receive $1,000 worth of hilmor tools.

“It feels great to have the fastest hands in the industry,” says Gutman. “Hopefully I can come back next year and defend my title!”

The other top finishers included Mike Vensel, Ventec Refrigeration, Pittsburgh, PA who will receive $500 worth of hilmor tools and Alex Weekes, Barbados, the recipient of $300 worth of hilmor tools.

“This is a fun way to let technicians experience firsthand how our tools work,” says Andrea Halpin, Brand Director, hilmor. “Most of them have a very competitive spirit and really enjoy seeing how fast they can do something, especially compared to their counterparts.”

About hilmor

The hilmor brand continues to revolutionize the HVAC/R industry with smarter, more effective tools and equipment. Backed by one of the largest research investments in the history of the HVAC/R industry, hilmor is dedicated to making technicians’ jobs easier.