UPHCA Pipeline Podcast Recap: Don Peterson on Plumbing Supply, Industry Pride, and Why More Contractors Should Get Involved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkI1F6mX2co

At the UPHCA Spring Conference in St. George, the UPHCA Pipeline Podcast sat down with Don Peterson of Peterson Plumbing Supply to talk about the plumbing industry, supply challenges, association membership, and why the trades need more people under the UPHCA tent.

Don’s story runs deep in Utah plumbing.

Peterson Plumbing Supply started in Richfield in 1975, but the family’s connection to the trade goes back even further. Don shared that his grandfather started plumbing in Richfield in 1910, and his father followed in the trade as well. After a football injury changed Don’s path while he was in high school, he moved toward supplying materials instead of working directly in the field.

That change turned into a decades-long career in Utah’s plumbing supply industry.

Today, Peterson Plumbing Supply has grown to six locations. Don described himself as “the luckiest person in the world” because of the people he works with, the customers they serve, and the suppliers who support them.

Supply Challenges, Tariffs, and Staying Ready

Like many companies connected to construction and plumbing, Peterson Plumbing Supply has had to deal with material supply challenges over the past several years.

Don talked about how difficult material supplies became during COVID, and how tariffs have created another layer of uncertainty around pricing and bidding.

When contractors are bidding jobs, pricing uncertainty can create real problems. If material costs are moving quickly, a quote can become outdated fast. That affects suppliers, contractors, and customers.

Peterson Plumbing Supply has tried to stay ahead by stocking plenty of material. Don also shared that the company is building a distribution center in Richfield to help stock heavier on items that are harder to get.

That distribution center is expected to help Peterson Plumbing Supply serve customers better by giving them more control over inventory and availability.

Why UPHCA Membership Matters

The conversation then turned toward UPHCA and the value of being part of the association.

Don was direct. He sees major value in UPHCA, the current leadership, and the direction the organization is going.

He also said he wishes membership was larger.

His point was simple: once more contractors see what UPHCA is doing, including the networking, classes, education, business support, and industry involvement, more people will understand why they should be part of it.

Don said the industry needs to “get more people in this tent.”

That line matters.

UPHCA is not just for large contractors. Don pointed out that the association can support businesses of different sizes, whether they are one-person operations, two-person crews, five-person companies, or larger shops with 50 people.

The bigger idea is that contractors are the center of the industry. Suppliers, manufacturers, reps, and others all depend on contractors doing the work. If there are not enough capable, trained, and motivated contractors, the whole industry feels it.

That is why education, networking, and getting people excited about the trade matters.

Plumbing Is Bigger Than People Realize

The podcast also touched on something UPHCA talks about often: plumbing is not just another job category.

It is tied directly to public health, clean water, safe buildings, and daily life.

The host compared plumbing to other industries with strong associations, including commercial fishing, education, and real estate. The point was that industries with strong associations have stronger representation.

The real estate industry, for example, has a large and well-funded association. Plumbing and mechanical trades need the same mindset.

Because if there are not competent, trained plumbers, communities have a serious problem.

The host shared that he had lived in countries where drinking water and wastewater systems were not properly separated, and the result was a disaster. That kind of experience makes the value of skilled plumbing work very clear.

Plumbing is easy for people to take for granted until it fails.

Utah’s Plumbing Industry Still Has Strong Opportunity

When asked what is going well, Don spoke with real optimism about Utah.

He said Utah’s industry is positive and that good things are happening. Things may be a little slower than normal at the moment, but he made it clear that he does not believe Utah is in a situation like 2007 or 2008, when many workers left plumbing for other industries.

His concern is that if the industry slows down too much, it could chase people away.

That is why he believes the industry needs to keep making plumbing a strong occupation. People need to be able to make a living, take pride in the work, and see a future in the trade.

Don also emphasized that the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and subcontractor fields are filled with hardworking, honest, capable people.

He spoke highly of the plumbers Peterson Plumbing Supply works with, the employees inside his company, and the manufacturers who support the industry through education and classes.

The more people learn, the more valuable they become.

That is the kind of message young workers, apprentices, business owners, and contractors need to hear.

A Supplier Who Still Answers the Phone

One of the strongest moments came near the end of the interview when Don shared his phone number and said he carries his cell phone 24/7.

He said someone could try calling him at 11 o’clock on a Saturday night and find out he answers his phone.

That says a lot about how he views service.

Peterson Plumbing Supply depends on great customers, and Don made it clear the company wants to help and serve. He also mentioned that their buying group allows them to buy competitively and stay competitive on pricing.

But the bigger point was not just price.

It was enthusiasm.

Don has been in the industry for 50 years and still talks like someone who is excited to go to work. He said he tries to be the first one in Richfield to work, and that he “can’t get out of bed fast enough” to get there.

That kind of energy is rare.

And it is good for the industry.

Final Thought

This podcast episode was not just about one supply company.

It was about what makes the Utah plumbing and mechanical industry strong: family history, hard work, supply relationships, contractor support, education, association involvement, and pride in the trade.

Don Peterson’s message was clear.

The plumbing industry has tremendous opportunity. UPHCA has the ability to help businesses of all sizes. And the more contractors get involved, the stronger the industry becomes.

If you are a Utah plumbing, HVAC, or mechanical contractor, this is the reminder: treat your trade like the professional industry it is.

Show up.

Get involved.

Keep learning.

And help bring more people into the tent.

Key Takeaways

• Peterson Plumbing Supply has roots in Utah plumbing going back to 1910 through Don Peterson’s family history.
• Supply challenges, COVID disruptions, tariffs, and pricing uncertainty have made inventory planning more important.
• Peterson Plumbing Supply is building a Richfield distribution center to stock harder-to-get items and better serve customers.
• Don sees strong value in UPHCA membership, especially networking, education, business support, and bringing more contractors into the association.
• UPHCA can support contractors of all sizes, from one-person shops to larger companies.
• Utah’s plumbing industry still has strong opportunity, but the industry needs to keep attracting and retaining good people.
• The more tradespeople learn, the more valuable they become.
• Strong suppliers, contractors, manufacturers, and associations all help keep the plumbing and mechanical trades moving forward.

 

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The Utah plumbing industry is bigger than most people realize.

On this UPHCA Pipeline Podcast episode, Don Peterson from Peterson Plumbing Supply talks about family history in the trade, supply challenges, UPHCA membership, and why more contractors need to get involved.

His message was simple:

We need more people in the tent.

More education.
More networking.
More pride in the trade.
More support for contractors of every size.

If you work in plumbing, HVAC, mechanical, or the subcontractor world in Utah, this one is worth watching.