Top Workplaces: Tennessee Standard Plumbing is 'a developer of people'

Kelton Balka started Tennessee Standard Plumbing with just one other employee and a truck. Though operations began in early 2020, Balka had years of experience in the plumbing business and a finance degree under his belt.

In just a few years, Balka's company has grown to 36 employees and 15 trucks, along with an office building and plans to expand.

Tennessee Standard Plumbing placed first among small companies in Knox News' annual Top Workplaces award honoring company culture. This is the first year Tennessee Standard has made the list.

It's not that the company has revolutionized plumbing practices, but it has set itself apart with Balka's focus on making sure the quality of work is consistent when fixing leaks, clogs, water heaters, piping and new water systems.

Another key to success: creating a workplace that gets employees excited.

"I wanted to start Tennessee Standard, and I wanted it to be a place where other tradesmen could really have a fantastic work environment, a place to create wealth for their families and love what they do," Balka told Knox News.

To become a plumber with Tennessee Standard, employees can start as apprentices. As a leader, Balka works to train new hires, pair them up with complementary partners and periodically check on their progress to encourage growth.

The apprentice program lasts two years, with a starting pay of $15 per hour. The system gives apprentices real experience while they decided if they want to continue down the plumbing pipeline.

"I see myself as a developer of people, developer of men," Balka said.

After two years, apprentices get their plumbing license to become a technician. Ideally, apprentices become fulltime hires and a permanent part of the Tennessee Standard, which considers itself the No. 1 plumbing service in the Knoxville area.

Employee benefits include three weeks of paid vacation, weekly chiropractor services and a workday that ends by 5 p.m. (no weekend shifts).

In five years, Balka hopes Tennessee Standard will have more employees, an expanded main office and a new trade, like HVAC, as part of the business. Until then, he wants to make sure the company's plumbing is the best in Knoxville.

"Every day has been a new challenge. Constantly, I am trying to learn new skills and better myself because at each level of growing a small business, your workflow changes and the demands on your time change," Balka said. "It's been a great journey."

What Tennessee Standard Plumbing employees had to say

The Top Workplaces designation is given based on anonymous employee feedback in a survey conducted by Knox News' partner Energage. Below are some Tennessee Standard employee responses to the prompt, "I love my job because."

• "I am able to foster a bond with my coworkers, the management team is attentive, the culture is good and I am compensated well for my work."
• "I got to build wealth and work with the best plumbers in the city."
• "Outside of being tired from a long day prior, I have not had a day I didn't want to come in to work. I genuinely enjoy the work I do and the people I do it with. No corners get cut. Everyone works hard. Mutual respect up and down the chain. Management is not disconnected from the field and have excellent communication with their teams."

About Tennessee Standard Plumbing

• First year on Top Workplaces list
• Year founded : 2019
• Number of offices : One main office, three satellite offices
• Local headquarters : 6634 Central Avenue Pike
• Number of local employees : 36

Keenan Thomas reports for the Knox News business growth and development team. You can reach him by email at keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Top Workplaces: Tennessee Standard Plumbing is 'a developer of people'