Gutridge Plumbing Inc.: Plumbing, Fire Protection and HVAC

Gutridge Plumbing Inc. (GPI) is a family-owned and -operated business in Newark, Ohio. Gil Gutridge founded GPI in 1970, originally offering residential plumbing services around Newark. Gil’s sons, Rod and Wayde Gutridge, took over GPI in the late ’80s, and the company has since diversified its services and expanded its geographic footprint significantly. In the last four decades the team has added fire protection and HVAC services. “There’s only one other company in our area that performs all three of these trades,” says Rod, president of GPI.

GPI specializes in large-scale projects for industrial and institutional clients in Ohio. “We generally operate in about a 150-mile radius of our main office here in Newark,” says Rob. “Our second office is in Columbus.” However, big projects sometimes take GPI further outside of that service area. “I don’t think there’s anywhere in Ohio we haven’t been,” explains Rod. “It really depends on the client or the contractor.”

GPI is able to accomplish these feats with a valued 130 employees, many with decades of experience in the business, allowing the specialists to perform 90 percent of work in house. “The only thing we really sub out is insulation and temperature control,” explains Rod. His large clientele base relies on the quality assurance GPI provides through maintaining experienced staff and leaving as little as possible to outside factors.

More than Plumbing

Rod, Wayde and the rest of the GPI team offer a wide spread of services to contractors, businesses and homeowners. It helps that GPI is ahead of the technology curve, as the team is constantly updating inventory and practices to push forward unmatched industry standards. The company’s work spans from standard, residential service calls like a clogged drain to full new installations on major industrial construction projects. In every project GPI guarantees quality, competitive pricing and safety.

Since the company’s beginning, GPI has offered superior plumbing service and installation. The experienced commercial plumbing division offers installations on commercial construction sites for facilities with large-scale plumbing needs. The business offers maintenance and repair services for the same large-scale institutions, as well as smaller businesses and private residences. Whether a customer has a leaky toilet at home or needs a full system for a new hospital, GPI has the capabilities and qualifications to offer complete solutions to any plumbing project.

The company’s HVAC division offers the same quality service clients expect from other divisions. GPI installs new HVAC systems, including air conditioners, ductwork and sheet metal. Customers have access to maintenance services and repairs, performed by industry professionals with years of experience. HVAC services are extended to business owners, homeowners and new construction contractors all over the state, emphasizing GPI’s commitment to quality and excellence.

Other Specialty Services

While many plumbing and HVAC contractors are adding fire suppression systems to diversify services, GPI has been installing sprinkler systems for over 25 years. The company offers products and services to new construction and retrofit facilities in a wide variety of system types, specialized to a business’ purposes. “We installed the first compressed air foam sprinkler system in Ohio,” says Rod. The project was for Rickenbacher International Airport, and the client was so pleased with the installation in one of the hangars that it has plans to install more of the systems in future structures.

GPI has worked on homes, manufacturing plants, schools, hospitals and more. The multitude of experience present with a large staff allows the company flexibility in project size and complexity. These qualities have allowed the business to grow and GPI continues to expand its services. The latest addition to the company’s portfolio is medical gas systems, complementing plumbing, HVAC and fire suppression systems that the team is already installing in hospitals and medical buildings.

Like many contractors, GPI faced a few rough years when the economy took a dive. “We adjusted to our obstacles,” says Rod. “For a while we were working just to keep up our overhead. We knocked our prices down to stay competitive. Everybody was bidding cheap for a while, and we had to keep up to keep our doors open.” Many of GPI’s customers are longtime clients. “We’ve been in this business since the 1970s because we’re focused on keeping our customers happy,” elaborates Rod. “Everybody was feeling the pain in those days, but we’ve maintained our customer base.”

Rod says he has seen a steady turn around in the business over the last few years. Opportunities for bids are more abundant than they were only a few years ago. “We’ve started making money again,” laughs Rod. He has no major plans for growth, and says business is steady. “We’re okay with where we’re at now,” he explains. “Our main focus is getting the job done on time to our clients’ expectations.”

With the best products on the market and a leading service team, Gutridge Plumbing Inc. exceeds these expectations and continues to develop as central Ohio’s leading plumbing, HVAC and fire protection contractor.