Shaun Downey, founder of Downey Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, stands in front of a company truck.
By Sandy Rose Schwieterman
Special to the Sentinel-Tribune
Shaun Downey, president and founder of Downey Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, LLC, says what he is most proud of is how his supportive family atmosphere ensures quality service to their customers.
Since 1995, the business has grown from a one man, one truck operation working out of his parent’s basement as sole proprietor and service technician into a business with constantly expanding services. Evolving from the initial plumbing and heating services they provide, Downey has grown to include all aspects of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical—offering customers the convenience of “One Call for All.”
Downey says they can only offer their excellent service by having excellent employees.
“We are only as good as the people we work with,” he said.
For example, he said, each trade is led by a project manager, an expert in field problem solving and diagnostics for customers who also supervises multiple skilled, certified technicians.
Downey was not handed a pre-existing business to take over but built it all from scratch. His parents, Tim and Debra Downey, had their respective careers as a city lineman and a nurse and teacher.
He came to the business through a solid educational and experiential background, first being exposed to the plumbing and heating world as a teenager. He worked alongside his grandfather, Bill McKibben, who was once co-owner of M&R Plumbing and Heating in Bluffton.
After graduating from Otsego High School, Downey attended Purdue University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in construction management. Right after graduation in 1994, he used his construction management skills as an assistant site superintendent with a major home construction conglomerate. In this role he managed residential home construction projects in all phases.
Within a year, while in this position, he already was entertaining thoughts of starting his own business.
To keep skills sharp and up-to-date, Downey Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical has developed an onsite, hands-on training area to ensure that technicians are not only knowledgeable regarding new products and practices, but also confident, skilled, and able to provide the best possible customer service. In addition to onsite training, all staff continually update their certifications utilizing offsite education.
“We like to have a family-run atmosphere where everyone enjoys coming to work and ready to increase their skill set,” Downey explained. “That way we can provide people with services that are client-based.”
Among their dozens of employees are three of Shaun’s brothers. All three came in with construction management backgrounds so were naturals to lead in the various departments as the employee roster expanded.
The company is also trying to bring young people up to train and teach accordingly. This includes his son Lucas, according to Downey.
“It’s kind of like coaching,” he said, “You know, teaching them a trade and seeing them develop from not knowing anything to eventually becoming a seasoned tradesman.”
He said all this training and the friendly company atmosphere have resulted in having a client roster which has been with them for years.
He said those clients know Downey Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical will promote the efficiency, cost savings and productivity of energy-saving devices.
For example, to both his commercial and residential customers, the HVAC department can suggest installation of heat pumps or geothermal systems which Downey says have seen amazing improvements over the years.
Heat pumps operate through thermal transportation, cycling indoor and outdoor air through an intricate system. Unlike other temperature control technology, heat pumps offer both heating and cooling options.
He also said the newest versions of geothermal systems with an inverter-driven drive have produced amazing efficiency and offer a good return on investment.
Smart technology is also part of their offerings. Downey said that while having complete control of your household appliances and safety systems is an effective way to keep things running smoothly, it can be critical to the building in case equipment such as a sump pump is not functioning.
Along with owning a business, Downey understands the need to support his community.
The company has charities it supports, such as monetary support to the Cherry Street Mission in Lucas County and the Cocoon in Wood County.
Downey also said they were in talks with Habitat for Humanity to help there.
“We were more involved with Habitat for Humanity 5-15 years ago but once our company pivoted away from new construction, we were unable to help build,” he explained. “Now we are considering how we can help with services like plumbing or heating and have done a few little projects.”
On a personal level, Downey is a coach for pole vaulting at his local school district as well as an assistant track coach. He has also served 20-plus years on the board of community pool in Grand Rapids.
