FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric Announces Local & Independent Ownership For Good
One question that Ryan Williams, owner of 128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric, keeps getting is… “Did you sell?” And the answer from Williams is always no.
In the last decade, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and other home service industries have seen significant consolidations with investment firms and private equity.
In the Greater Boston area, 128 has become an outlier of home service companies that are still local, private, and independently owned. This is what led Ryan Williams, President of 128, to seek out organizations and companies that aren’t just in business to someday sell, but to actually thrive long-term, focusing on people and purpose over profits.
Williams found the Tugboat Institute®, a community that focuses on just that: value, purpose, and people-driven businesses planning to remain independently-owned for over 100 years. Tugboat’s Certified Evergreen® status recognizes companies that go through a rigorous application process with the commitment to follow the Evergreen 7Ps® principles: Purpose, Perseverance, People First, Private, Profit, Paced Growth, and Pragmatic Innovation. 128 applied for this status with the help of its entire staff and was awarded the high honor of becoming Certified Evergreen® in 2025.
How is an independently owned home service company different from other types of ownership?
All businesses need to remain profitable to stay in business, but the difference between a company that intends to stay in business for generations and a company that is looking to exit again in the next 5-7 years is its priorities. An independently-owned business like 128 answers to its customers and employees first, not shareholders or investors. By prioritizing people over profits, 128 can focus on its employees, customers, and local communities.
How can choosing an independently owned company impact customers?
Massachusetts homeowners want a home service company that’s reliable, will answer their call when they need them, and will be in business for the lifetime of their HVAC and plumbing systems. The installation quality, long-term maintenance support, and overall reliability are major considerations in the decision, knowing how important heating and air conditioning is to daily living. When homeowners choose a company that plans to remain in business and independently owned for generations to come, they reduce risk of uncertainties.
How does working at an independently-owned company affect tradespeople?
The ownership structure can influence company culture, communication, expectations, and long-term business priorities. Working at an independently owned HVAC, plumbing, and electrical company can offer tradespeople closer access to decision-making and alignment.
With a labor shortage like there is in the trades, it is vitally important that there are leaders in the industry willing to continually invest time, money, and energy into training, education, mentorship, and developing the next generation of skilled tradespeople. 128 is proud to be able to offer its own schooling program out of its Chelmsford, MA location for tradespeople, with a core value of development and continuous education.
CHOOSE LOCAL & INDEPENDENT.
Choosing local and independently-owned businesses for anything you buy has upside for customers and local Massachusetts communities. 128 is proud to announce its continued local and independently-owned ownership to bring empowerment to its employees and customers for future generations to come.
About 128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric:
128 is the top residential home service company in Eastern Massachusetts in plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical, drain cleaning, sewer rehabilitation, and excavation. The company was founded by David Williams in 1992 and is proud to have the most online reviews in Massachusetts. 128 is known for its top-notch customer service, base+ membership, SmartSignal™ home automation line, official partnership with the Red Sox, and quality workmanship with their blue carpet service.
Book with 128 by filling out the info below or call 781-451-1017.
This press release was written by happi PR, which is Boston-based. For media opportunities, visit happipr.com.
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