Benjamin Franklin – the Plumbing Patriot?

Legend has it American founding father Benjamin Franklin brought
the first bathtub to America from France in 1790.

Renowned as both statesman and inventor (but not for plumbing), Ben Franklin was ever on the lookout for ways to make homes more livable. He invented the Franklin stove to warm chilly colonial homes twice as efficiently as fireplaces, while consuming two-thirds less fuel.

Benjamin Franklin would have been right at home at Berkey’s, given his interests in plumbing and heating. But you won’t see us putting his name on our business, as some plumbers do. We’re a little uncomfortable seeing people’s names used commercially when they aren’t even around to give permission.

Ben Franklin didn’t have any more say about his name being used commercially than Sam Adams, another revolutionary patriot. Do you suppose there might have been a chilly night or two when Ben and Sam sat by a Franklin stove drinking beer made with Sam Adams’ malt, never suspecting the royalties they would miss out on one day?

In our book it’s far more honorable to name a business after a city, state or the whole country than to borrow someone else’s good name. Sports teams do it all the time – the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers, for example. And in our line of work, there is American Residential Services, although now they just go by the initials ARS.

Some companies use a person’s first name only, such as Joe’s Crab Shack, or Ernie’s Plumbing. But don’t those names make you wonder if “Ernie” and “Joe” are real people or just corporate brands?

Now, if it happens that real people become corporate brands, that’s about as good as it gets. That means a company has done things right for a long time, to the point that when people hear or see the name they immediately associate it with what the company stands for.

We have a good example: Berkey’s. Over the past four decades our name has become synonymous with quality plumbing, air conditioning and heating. Mr. Berkey hasn’t been active in the business for more than a decade, but the business he built on his good personal reputation is going stronger than ever. With all respect due to Benjamin Franklin, we like our name better.

We thank you, our thousands of loyal customers, for helping us become the trusted name in plumbing, heating and air conditioning in Keller, Southlake, Colleyville, Grapevine, Flower Mound and beyond. You have made it all possible, and we remember that every time we answer the phone or knock on your door. Please let us know – anytime – how we can serve you better.