Paid for by CMP Plumbing
Header image by Christina Cochran
1988 Center Grove alum Chad Paulin started learning plumbing when he was still in high school, working after school and on breaks. After graduation he earned an associate’s degree from Vincennes College’s Building Trades Technology program, where he learned several trades including plumbing, electrical, framing and drywall. Ultimately he chose to pursue a career in plumbing, as it was his passion.
For 10 years he worked for a local plumber, and in 1995 he ventured out on his own. He opened CMP Trades (also known as CMP Plumbing), initially running the business from his home. Two years after opening, he began working with a builder in Carmel.
“I didn’t care how big or small the job was, I said I wanted to do it,” says Chad, who plumbed entire homes by himself that sometimes had between five and 10 bathrooms. As his reputation grew, job requests increased, and he hired his first employee. His business has grown steadily ever since, with a great team beside him. Loyal, hardworking plumbers Tony Shireman and Steve Balthazor have each worked at CMP Plumbing for nearly two decades. Customers love working with conscientious and dependable Service Manager, Dave Gabbard.
Chad has established long relationships with a number of builders in central Indiana. In 2005 he partnered with Mike Duke, owner of Duke Homes.
“Chad and CMP Trades have been great and reliable plumbers for us and our clients at Duke Homes for nearly 20 years now,” says Duke. “We also count them as good friends.”
As another way to serve the community, Chad has been a member of the Johnson County Drainage Board for several years.
After the recession of 2008, when new home construction picked back up, Chad was very busy. In 2019 he and his wife, Mindy, moved their shop to Bargersville. In addition to growing their service department, Chad and Mindy are focused on introducing young people to the trades. Mindy, who worked in banking for 25 years, is now the president and CEO of The Blue Collar Recruiter & Virtual Trade School.
“The labor force is so skinny, making this the perfect time for young people to think about the trades,” says Mindy, who notes that for every three people who are retiring from the trades, only one new person is entering them.
Working in the trades offers several advantages. For starters, you’re not sitting at a cubicle, but rather working with your hands. It offers variety and the ability to see the fruits of your labor and satisfied customers.
Mindy and Chad just launched an affordable virtual/hybrid trade school – the first in Indiana to do so. Developed in 2020 during the pandemic, it’s designed to engage people in trades in a virtual-reality-based learning environment. A seat in this program enables a student to get a taste of multiple trade skills including plumbing, HVAC, electrical, construction, solar, or appliance maintenance.
While students aren’t required to use virtual-reality goggles with the online courses, it certainly enhances the experience and the recall factor in learning the skills. For example, while using virtual reality, the student can take a tool out of their tool belt to install a control panel. Students can also come into the training center in Bargersville if they want to engage in hands-on learning opportunities using tools and materials.
“They can tear apart a water heater and put it back together,” Mindy says. “They can ask questions of Chad and his team and potentially participate in a ride-along with the plumbers to observe at a job site.”
The length of the program depends on the student’s aptitude, as they work at their own pace. Some can complete the 160 hours of instructor-led tutorials in four months while others may take a little longer. After students receive their certificate, they’re well-situated to start an apprenticeship program in their chosen trade.
In addition to having access to a business owner like Chad, students also have Mindy’s guidance on building a resume, which will help get them placed in an apprenticeship.
“We’re super excited about the launching of this virtual trade school,” Mindy says.
Chad and Mindy believe in continuing education for current employees as well. They have sent employees to hands-on Rheem training in Atlanta and Kohler training in Wisconsin, where they learn about new technology.
Offering residential, commercial and service plumbing, CMP Plumbing is a small, family-owned business with 15 employees and two service trucks. The business’s size is part of the appeal. There are no high-pressure sales, and when customers call, they don’t get a switchboard; they get Office Manager Laura Huffman.
The first time Kay Ransdell called CMP Plumbing, she was impressed with the information that Huffman provided, as well as the kind delivery and affordability of services.
“I set up an appointment and they were professionals who were knowledgeable,” says Ransdell. “They kept in constant touch on bringing everything to do the job.”
“There’s always something new to get up to speed on – the latest and greatest technology and materials,” says Chad.
Chad walks each new homeowner through their home to acquaint them with their plumbing equipment and fixtures, and provide them with a maintenance plan and booklet of important information.
“It’s not like 20 years ago when you could buy a house and move in without having to talk to the plumber about anything,” Chad says. “Nowadays there’s so much other equipment. You’ve got battery backup sump pumps, computerized tankless water heaters and other high-tech fixtures.”
“We’re installing shower fixtures that are controlled with Wi-Fi, so the water is turned on and off digitally,” Huffman says. “There’s no handle in your shower. These days, plumbing companies are not just water lines and faucets!”
CMP Plumbing also does installations and maintenance on bidets, water-bottle fillers, radiant floor heat, outdoor gas lines, dog washes, back-flow devices, and winterizations for outdoor plumbing such as pool houses.
“We are very thankful to all the customers, builders, and contactors we’ve worked with over the past 30 years. They’ve all been a part of fulfilling the dream I had for this business,” says Chad.
