OHIO — Neptune Plumbing President Adam Wallenstein said his company is facing a shortage in staff, similar to many other plumbing companies. 

What You Need To Know

  • Plumbing companies are seeing a shortage of new tradespeople

  • Neptune Plumbing is seeing a 10-15% shortage in staff 

  • The company is taking creative steps to recruit new talent

Wallenstein said his company cuts pipes directly in the shop.

“Whatever we can put together in the shop, we will, so when it goes out to the field, it’s less time (and) less resources needed," he said.

But he said he could use more help in the field. He’s down anywhere from 10 to 15 plumbers, which is about 10% of his roster. He said the industry as a whole can’t find new younger talent. 

“We do have a pipeline that we’re trying to build, but the older generation, they’re retiring. They’re moving on," Wallenstein said.

Hank Warner has been with the company for 24 years. He said the new challenges every day motivate him on the job, and the end results are what keep him here. 

“It’s like being an artist," he said. "Every job is little bit different. When you walk away (from) the water heater and you fixed the problem, you walk away and you’re the hero."

The company has even rolled out new business cards with a video message about the company. 

“Trying to think outside the box how can we be different from the competition," Wallenstein said. "No one’s throwing away these business cards."

Wallenstein said the industry can pay in the six-figure range and doesn’t require a college degree. In fact, he said that apprenticeships pay students to go to school, so they earn while they learn. 

“They’re getting paid to go to school, and these guys are gonna come out in five years with no debt and a career," Wallenstein said

But since the apprenticeship programs take years to complete, it will be awhile before a new plumber is on the job.