CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — Starting operations out of a garage in 1989, Luton’s Plumbing and Heating and Air Conditioning has grown to the point now where it services Clarion, Venango, Jefferson, and Armstrong counties.
(Pictured: Son and father team of Brian Luton and Dan Luton.)
“We do a lot of our basic service work where you call when you need plumbing, or your furnace goes out — but, our bread and butter now is probably new construction, commercial, and light industrial,” said Brian Luton. “We do everything from a leaky faucet to frack water treatment plants.”
The scope of the business keeps growing, and Luton’s is now working on the complete HVAC needs of the new medical marijuana facility near Brookville in Hazen. Luton’s won the bid for providing and installing the HVAC based on technical requirements and the ability to meet associated security requirements.
Cresco Yeltrah started work on a 46,000 square foot grow center on the 12-acre site in Brookville after being awarded medical marijuana cultivation license as part of the Pennsylvania Compassionate Medical Cannabis Program.
President Dan Luton said the company also submitted a bid on Cresco Yeltrah’s first dispensary of medical marijuana products planned for a Butler site.
Bidding procedures are important for any company.
A big part of the procedure is making sure your numbers are right because it can hurt you if you don’t get your numbers right, according to Brian.
“We’ve got a good crew of guys in the field that allow dad and I go chase work,” said Brian.
Dan started in the HVAC trade in Houston and came back home in the early 80’s and worked for some other companies before he decided to go out on his own in 1989.
“It kind of snowballed, and I don’t think he ever thought it would turn into what it did,” said Brian. “He started out of his garage with one guy, and one thing led to another, and we’re up to about 20 employees. It started slowly, but our customer base grew, and here we are.”
Lutons are well-represented on the staff of the family-owned local business. In addition to Dan and his wife Laurie Luton, Brian and Dan’s twin brother Dick Luton are a part of the operation. Laurie works in the office and does of all of the HR and insurance, and Brian’s Aunt Tish works in the office on billing and serves as a receptionist.
Instead of a garage, Luton’s operates out of the old Goodyear building on the corner of Liberty Street and First Avenue in Clarion. The building has also serviced other businesses throughout the years, including Kroch’s Goodyear and a car dealership.
“We do a lot of different design-build projects,” said Brian. “We did the plumbing and the heating for the old BiLo building for the new Ford garage. The commercial end is where we’re really growing the business because there’s only so much service work you can do in an area our size and demographics,” said Brian.
“The new construction has been our niche — we’ve done hotels, car dealerships, welding shops, personal care homes, and we’re working a lot now with Aldi Grocery Stores. There are a lot of different clients that we’ve been able to develop relationships.”
The family business has a commitment to the community. For example, Brian serves as head wrestling coach for Clarion Area and his wife Ashley is the president of the Clarion University Wrestling Pin Club.
“The coaching job takes a lot of time,” said Brian. “That’s the nice thing about having a family business, and you can get away with that kind of stuff. We’ve got a good staff that is reliable and dependable and can fill in the gaps when I have to take off, and dad can also step in and take up the slack.”
The 24-hour service pledge is a hallmark of Luton’s, and the company offers reliable and quality care in a quick response time.
Dan also looked to his father for advice on the business.
“My dad’s theory always was if you say you are going to do something, you do it,” said Dan. “That’s exactly what we do here at Luton’s Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning. We’re committed to serving you in the best way possible.”
For more information, call 814-226-8695 or visit their website at LutonsPlumbing.com.
