It’s an exciting day when one of our very own franchises is the subject of a story in Plumbing Magazine, and that’s exactly what happened to Gary Kes in a recent issue. The story focuses on Gary’s more than twenty years serving the dairy industry with top-notch water purification services, only to switch to the residential market after a major shift occurred.
As the story goes, many of the farms that Gary was providing service to were closing down and being replaced by housing developments. Rather than just let his business fall by the wayside and switch to a different industry entirely, Gary decided to modify his existing business model and be the “go-to” provider of quality plumbing services for all those new residential customers.
Joining the Benjamin Franklin Team
After 22 years of having his own company and serving the farmers in the Minneapolis area, Gary became a Benjamin Franklin franchisee, serving a wide area located around 40 miles south of Minneapolis.
By doing this, Gary was able to leverage the skills he had mastered over the previous two decades, and take advantage of all the support and connections being a franchise has to offer.
From Farms to Residential Homes
Kes Equipment started way back in 1985, when Gary was providing water filtration equipment to the dairy industry in his area. This opportunity came about after two other businesses closed up shop, leaving an opening. There is both iron and limestone in the water in that part of Minnesota, so Kes Equipment’s services were needed and appreciated.
After about a dozen years, farms began to close down and the properties were taken over by housing developments. Kes Equipment started providing water softening and filtration services to residential customers, and did small-scale plumbing repairs, still operating under the same name.
It wasn’t until 2007 that the switch was made to Benjamin Franklin franchise. The past 10 years have seen a gradual shift from the Kes Equipment name to 100% Benjamin Franklin Plumbing; using both the name and logo for all of his services.
A Range of Useful Services
Today, Gary offers a wide range of plumbing services, including his staples of water filtration and softening.
He employs seven people, including another master plumber and two valuable apprentices, and operates a fleet of four vehicles with a 10,000 square foot facility.
Gary’s story is a great example of how to roll with the punches and adapt to market changes to keep your business relevant and thriving. It’s also a testament to the power of franchising and making the most of what a franchise has to offer.
