▲ (L-R) Jack Panting, Mike Goodwin, Cameron Jenkins, Brad MacAulay, Emily MacAulay, Luke Hood, Oliver Andrews
Stratford’s High Valley Plumbing & Heating is one of those feel-good success stories that proves that when you love what you do, and have the people you love surrounding you, good things can happen. Owned by husband-and-wife team Brad and Emily MacAulay, the company began seven years ago in the driveway of their home in Cherry Valley, “with just my hand tools and a truck cap,” says Brad. “We actually didn't even have a truck at the time. I had just sold my truck without the intention of replacing it right away.” Passionate about plumbing and “the entire art of the trade,” Brad says he always knew he wanted to run his own company. He and Emily often talked about having a “mom and dad” family-run business one day. “We didn’t know if the timing was right or not, but we made it right,” Brad says. They certainly did. The business eventually expanded out of the MacAulays’ driveway to Hazelbrook in 2014, and then to Stratford in 2018. In addition to Brad and Emily, High Valley’s staff currently includes two Red Seal plumbers and three plumbing apprentices. They offer an array of plumbing and heating services for both residential and commercial properties. “Brad and the crew do anything from plumbing a new home, changing out a leaking boiler, helping with a much-needed renovation and installing in-floor heating,
to your regular maintenance or emergency service call,” says Emily, who handles the admin side of the business. High Valley is also one of PEI’s only certified and licensed back-flow prevention testers and installers, and offers other specialty services—like geothermal heating and furnace cleaning— in addition to well pump repair and sales. The couple says owning a business together is “interesting, challenging, and rewarding,” and that business ownership always comes back to them working as a team. “When something great happens, we always know we did it together,” says Emily. “When the scales are tipped, and a situation’s outcome isn't what we'd want it to be, we are right there for each other, and in complete understanding of the situation.” The couple are also parents to four boys, and “Everyone has this understanding of what we are building,” says Emily. “Our little boys get so excited every time they meet one of our trucks on the road or see someone wearing one of our hats.” That sense of family extends to High Valley’s employees and customers. “We love what we do, and have built a team—our High Valley family—who all have that passion for what they do,” says Emily. “We are a family-run company, and that is projected onto our customers. We want our customers
to know our door is always open, and we are here to answer any questions, and will always offer you an honest answer.” Emily says they also pride themselves on their attention to every detail, “from how a customer wants their bathroom to be laid out, to ensuring all the proper procedures and codes are being followed.” She says the response from their customers in Stratford has been nothing but positive. “I think people like to have, not just a local company, but a company next door! Stratford residents and businesses are great in supporting each other.”
High Valley Heating & Plumbing Inc. 26A Myrtle St, Stratford 902.569.5212
After Hours: 902.940.6547 www.highvalleypandh.com
FALL 2019 www.pei-living.ca
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