Entrepreneur wins ABEX award

Justin Yawney, president of Yorkton Plumbing & Heating has been presented with the 2011 ABEX Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

The award is presented annually to an entrepreneur between the ages of 18-35 who has achieved success in the start-up and operation of a new or existing business.

Yawney said the award was one he had not expected to win.

"It was good. I was pretty surprised," he said.

Asked what the award means, the 34-year-old reflected for a moment.

"It means we've been recognized among Saskatchewan business for expanding in Yorkton and the south Saskatchewan region," he said.

And expand Yawney has -- aggressively so.

The business was launched in April 2007, with Yawney working on his own.

"Today we have 29 employees," he said.

The expansion has turned Yawney from a hands-on plumber, to a manager of staff, something he said learning his trade never really prepared him for.

"It's been a big learning curve. That's for sure," he said, adding "It's helped out we've got a lot of good employees we can rely on that I can be in here (his office)."

Yawney said finding staff is a challenge, but he added he has been fortunate.

"Obviously we've gone through a lot of employees, but I feel the ones we have are very good," he said. "I'm amazed we've found the quality of employees that we have."

Asked if there is a secret to keeping good staff, Yawney said he believes the key is treating people well.

"It's a very competitive field. I feel, and the employees feel, when they do come here, they're coming for a reason," he said, adding he tries hard to treat his staff well.

Being based in Yorkton, with its amenities for staff families is an asset too.

As a result Yawney said they've been able to attract staff back from Alberta, and from as far away as British Columbia.

The rapid expansion has been something Yawney said the local economy has helped fuel, and they were ready to take advantage of the opportunity.

"Obviously Yorkton and Saskatchewan has been expanding over the last four years as well, and it goes hand-in-hand," he said. " The opportunity was there and we took it

"I guess it's a lot of eagerness and hard work on my part, and also the employees."

Yawney said he anticipates the strong economy which has allowed him to grow a business serving Preeceville to Redvers will continue.

"Anything can happen, but all the signs tell us it's going to be busy the next while," he said.

To meet the demand and growth, Yawney said he is always looking for good staff, adding he could use a journeyman plumber, sheet metal worker, salesperson and a job estimator now.

Yawney added in some respects the plumbing and heating business is buffered against severe economic down turns too.

"I guess the good thing about plumbing it that it breaks," he said, with a smile.