Having lived in the Drayton area all their lives, John and Stephanie Klaassen always had a desire to run their own family business.
After apprenticing for three years under Wally Cunningham, of Cunningham Plumbing and Heating, Klaassen jumped at the opportunity to start his own business after Cunningham retired.
With Klaassen’s mechanical mind and ability to fix and repair most things and Stephanie’s newly developed bookkeeping skills – thanks to the assistance of family friend Emily DeMol – in 2004 the family opened Klaassen Mechanical and Plumbing and they haven’t looked back since.
Three important factors for their business have been to offer local, expert and personalized service.
Klaassen believes these objectives have made the business successful and a valuable asset to Mapleton Township. Whether it’s new construction, repair work and/or renovation work – whatever the project, big or small – Klaassen Mechanical and Plumbing offers maintenance and repair for both commercial and residential clients.
Although the bulk of their business is considered commercial (meeting contractors’ plumbing requirements), they maintain individual residential calls are equally important.
“There’s nothing worse than a plugged drain on a Sunday night,” empathizes Klaassen, adding that’s one of the reasons the business offers emergency responses 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Klaassen Mechanical and Plumbing also sells quality water heaters, water softeners and new plumbing fixtures, including faucets, toilets, bathtubs and sinks. They feature a wide range of economy to high-end products from top manufacturers such as Moen, American Standard, Mirolin, Kindred Sinks, Gerber and Mansfields.
Klaassen notes the sales division is an important aspect to the business since it provides clients a convenient and personalized experience, which in turn saves them time and money.
Consultations for upscale bathroom projects can be booked, as well as a manufacturers showroom tour, so clients can see and choose exactly what they want.
In the past five years the business has experienced steady growth, which is very rewarding, but Klaassen’s number one challenge has been organizing the workload and prioritizing service calls so customers’ needs are met in a timely fashion.
He explained a plugged toilet and broken water line are on the same level when considering who gets served first. As a result of those concerns the Klaassens hired their son, John Henry, as an apprentice.
“It’s a win-win situation,” Klaassen said, since the move has resulted in improved response times, as well as a way to keep the business in the family.
He maintains the goal has always been to build a local family company that supports and services the needs of Mapleton Township but remains small enough to provide efficient personalized service.
Being part of their community means more than just business to the Klaassen family.
John and Stephanie currently serve as directors for the Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society, and have done so for the past three years, and Stephanie volunteers at school and church and is a stay at home mom.
John and Stephanie have six children and run their business out of their home on County Road 11, just north of Drayton.
Give them a call at 519-638-2106 when considering your next renovation, home construction project or find yourself in need of an experienced plumber.
