Dupree Plumbing Company – Putting
employees first as the key to success
By Theresa Dilks
Ever watch a movie about a man in a small rural town trying to start a business
-- and years later he is a respected pillar of the community with a successful
business? Well, this is not a movie, and, yes, Mr. Dupree of the Dupree Plumbing
Company (http://www.dupreeplumbing.com/)
does exist. And that’s also Robert Dupree’s true story.
Robert Dupree came from a small rural town, worked out of his home as a plumber,
and -- 44 years later -- his successful business, now in the hands of his son,
R. Michael Dupree, employs 175 people in three location: Cummings, Conyers and
Marietta, Ga. Corporate HQ is located at the Marietta facility.
Michael oversees all operations, but Dad still visits daily for lunch.
Kelly Singleton, Public Relations manager for Dupree Plumbing Company, enlightened
me on the pride Michael shows towards his employees and the family-owned business.
Michael also takes pride in every employee’s professional standards, right
down to their dress code. He also offers continuing education classes taught
in Dupree’s facilities or will send employees to locations offering classes
not offered on-site.
Kelly went on to tell me about the “appreciation” Michael shows
his employees by sponsoring annual Christmas parties for both adults and their
children, through purchasing Braves tickets for an employees “Braves Night”
event, and providing fishing trips to Florida and golfing trips to South Carolina.
The Dupree Plumbing Company issues a quarterly newsletter to keep employees
informed about employees’ birthdays, anniversaries, births, and promotions.
Additionally, the newsletter keeps employees abreast of company business matters
and the doings of employees in other facilities. The company also recognizes
an “Employee of the Month” to stress the importance of employee
contribution to the company’s on-going success. Kelly told me a “scrapbook”
is kept with all the events and occasions documented for employees to see.
“We,” Kelly says, “meaning the company and all employees,
are sponsoring eight elderly people and a family of three for Christmas this
year.” By this statement, it’s clear that Dupree Plumbing gives
back to the community as well as their employees.
Outside of business hours, employees can join a Dupree Plumbing-sponsored softball
team or just attend the games to cheer on their favorite players. Michael supports
employee involvement in such team building activities because these stimulate
healthy morale.
"Michael is very accommodating to his employees,” Kelly continued.
“He is like a friend, not a boss. He will bend over backwards for you,”
Kelly went on, “and this belief makes Dupree a good company to work for.”
I have heard that before. For instance, Kathy and Anthony are a husband and
wife team working at Dupree Plumbing, who have served as subcontractors and
now employees, for 7 years. Anthony’s quote was the same, “It is
a good company to work for!”
Bob tells me the same, with slightly different words, but the meaning is the
same, “They are a bunch of good guys!” Bob, formerly a subcontractor
but now an employee, has been working indirectly and directly with Dupree Plumbing
Company for four years.
Dupree Plumbing has been affected by the economy like all companies, but has
held onto its employees. Michael does not want to jeopardize the company’s
reputation for quality work as the economy rebuilds.
How does one sum up such a business philosophy? Given the information regarding
this company, it is operated by down-to-earth management who believe in giving
back to both the community in which the company operates as well as caring for
and supporting their employees. Management has not only taken into account the
morale of its employees, but also the provision of quality work for its clientele
and its responsibility as a good citizen in its surrounding community.
But the “portrait” of Dupree Plumbing I like best are some pictures
that are clearly worth more than a thousand words -- I viewed some photographs
of Michael and his employees standing in front of the office on a new 4-wheeler
to be donated to a local community group. If I had to go by these photos, I
would sum up Dupree Plumbing as a company that cares about their employees,
community, and is a fun place to work. One can’t ask for much more.
###
Copyright © 2002 by Theresa Dilks. All rights reserved.
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