HVAC

Name: Matthew Fleming
Title: Owner
Company: All-Star Plumbing & Heating
Location: Manasquan, New Jersey
Specialty: New Construction Large Custom Homes

Although a self-described “rough around the edges” kind of guy, Matthew Fleming (@allstarplumbinginc), owner of All-Star Plumbing & Heating, Manasquan, N.J., admits he’s a girl dad, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I have no problems laying on the floor and playing dolls with my daughters,” says Fleming. He says that at some point you have to be able to shut OFF work and turn ON home.

And while spare time doesn’t happen as often as Fleming would like, when it does, he loves hanging at the beach with his wife and kids. He also tries to make time to work out at the gym every morning to clear his head and start the day right. “Work will always be there tomorrow so you need to make sure that you’re not missing those important life/leisure moments that you can’t get back.”

It’s a Generational Thing

With Fleming’s father owning a family plumbing business, it was a simple decision to get into the plumbing industry. Fleming went to college for business administration and construction management to at least give himself a solid base of business knowledge if he was to ever take over the company. A solid decision as it turns out. “I started plumbing when I was about 16 years old but would always help out my dad as a kid. I worked part time through school and college. Once I graduated college, I jumped in full time and I’ve never looked back,” says Fleming.

The Ultimate Influence

Fleming has recently officially taken over the company that his father started 30+ years ago. And it was his father that molded Fleming into the craftsman that he is today. “He instilled in me the values of hard work and determination,” says Fleming. “He was always pushing the envelope and would take on jobs that other plumbers and companies would shy away from. My father always embraced challenges, and after years of doing that, it became clear the you can attack difficult situations with the confidence and mindset that you have what it takes to handle it.”

Like most modest tradespeople, Fleming doesn’t consider himself a “role model” but he does feel like he has some valuable bits of advice he could pass on to the younger generation looking to get into this trade or take into whatever field they choose. “A lot of plumbing is having the ability to problem solve, and that applies to any field. I encourage people to never be content with their current knowledge and skill set, you can always find ways to improve,” says Fleming.

These days a lot of teaching and connecting with others happens through social influencing. “Social media has absolutely made a big impact on my business for multiple reasons. I’ve learned so much from so many of the incredible plumbers across the country and have made some good friends, too. I’ve gotten jobs from the work people have seen on my Instagram, but above that, seeing the amazing work that others put out makes me improve my own work. I always remind the guys that I might take a picture of their work and post it to Instagram for public ridicule by the “super plumbers,” so make sure it’s right, haha,” says Fleming. “Social media can be very valuable if you use it right, and the plumbing community is second to none on there.”

State of the Industry

“I feel like most people believe that being in the trades means that you’re a second-rate citizen and couldn’t get a “real” job,” says Flaming. When in reality, continues Fleming, it’s a respectable occupation that requires highly educated, hard-working people. And with that comes training. “There should be more educational and training options available so that people entering the trades can be trained properly, which will help raise industry standards. Increasing trade school funding to ensure that the programs available are legit programs would absolutely attract more people. They need to be proactive in recruiting instead of just waiting for kids to show up,” says Fleming.

A Hard Day’s Work

One of the most rewarding things about his work is the problem-solving aspect. “I really enjoy when the customer tells me that they had four other companies there prior and nobody could figure out the problem but we did,” says Fleming. I’d say that’s a win.

But nothing compares to when you are down and come home to see those smiling faces.  “I was having a pretty rough week, put through the ringer. I came home that day feeling pretty defeated only to be greeted by my two daughters—ages 6 and 8—barreling towards me to give me a huge hug as my wife kissed me on the cheek. Instantly, I was reminded of what is really important, and even though I was having a rough patch, I was still doing a good job. It was just what I needed and I thought to myself, ‘I’m extremely lucky to have this life that plumbing has provided me.’”

LG’s ‘On Demand’ Library and Distance Learning Opportunities Reinforce Company’s Commitment to Industry-Wide Education

LG Air Conditioning Technologies has extended its LG Connections Virtual Speaker Series. This dynamic series of monthly webinars provide architects, contractors, engineers, and professionals with ongoing education opportunities, product and innovation updates, design and service tools, and industry insights.

The series explores various topics focused on profitable strategies for enhanced building design and performance, comfort, and control while offering participants the opportunity to connect with LG’s team of experts. LG Connections webinars are presented on the last Wednesday of each month at noon EDT and include a 45-minute presentation followed by 15 minutes of Q&A. Additionally, the company offers an On Demand Library for access to a range of content and speaker presentations, which is available here.

“LG remains steadfast in our commitment to the training and advancement of architects, engineers, contractors, building owners – anyone in the project chain,” said Steve Scarbrough, senior vice president and head of LG Air Conditioning Technologies USA. “What was first launched during the height of the pandemic as a remote learning resource has evolved into an ongoing educational opportunity for the AEC (architects, engineers and consultants) community. This extended LG Connections webinar series is another tool within our comprehensive education arsenal that gives learners nationwide the ingredients to understand and apply new air conditioning technologies to an array of projects – from residential to commercial.”

Since late 2019, LG has significantly enhanced its educational resources for project professionals, with distance learning being a key component of its overall training strategy. As a result, according to Scarbrough, webinar participants can expect to receive inspiring content and tools for differentiation that they can leverage now and during the economic recovery.

Details for upcoming webinars (12 noon – 1:00 PM EDT):

• Wednesday, July 27 – Designing HVAC Systems with LATS Revit
• Wednesday, August 31 – A Closer Look at the LG Inverter Scroll Heat Pump Chiller

LG invites design and construction professionals to mark their calendars on the last Wednesday of every month at noon EDT for the LG Connections Virtual Speaker Series. Upcoming Connections webinars and registration links are shared regularly on the company’s LinkedIn. For more information about LG Air Conditioning Technologies, visit lghvac.com.

Since their introduction in North America in 1999, Viega press systems have earned a loyal following among plumbers and contractors who value their performance, efficiency and reliability.

In recent years, this community has grown into a large following across Viega LLC’s social media accounts. In response, Viega LLC is recognizing some of its most enthusiastic and influential supporters through a new Press Masters Brand Ambassador program. The Press Masters are a group of highly skilled plumbing, HVAC, and general contractors who have built followings through their creative, and often entertaining, educational social media content.

As Press Masters, they will use their social channels to educate people on the benefits of pressing with Viega fittings and share their trade expertise.

“The Press Master brand ambassador program is centered around building relationships with people who have shown great pride in their work using Viega fittings and who are passionate about being involved in the trade community,” said Rebecca Stamey, PR and Social Media Manager for Viega. “There is so much value in having the opportunity to partner with people who choose to use our products every day. We want to recoginize their endorsement for the brand and celebrate their accomplishments, all while also helping other realize the benefits of pressing.”

The current Press Masters are:

• Travis Abaire, @t.a.p.plumbingandheating, of Tap Plumbing & Heating in Bristol, Conn.
• Matt Fleming, @allstarplumbinginc, of All Star Plumbing & Heating in Manasquan, N.J.
• Terence Chan, @the__impetus, of Impetus Plumbing & Heating in Vancouver, B.C.
• Jonathan Cheever, @teamcheever, of Team Cheever Design Build in Park City, Utah
• Matt Benevides, @boston_plumbing_monstahs_, of Benevides Plumbing & Mechanical in New Bedford, Mass.
• Colton Henkowski, @viking_pipefitter, Technical Trainer for Viega in Broomfield, Colo.

To learn more about each Press Master and for those interested in applying to join the program visit viega.us/pressmasters.

A quick Hub on the Road takes us to Grasser’s Plumbing & Heating in McNabb, Ill., to visit with Tim Kuhlman to talk about the company, its new showroom, inventory and supply, and a plumbing truck tip.