Hanson purchases Lundt & Sears Plumbing & Heating

(Photo by Kris Todd) Kent Hanson, left, is the new owner of Hanson's Plumbing and Heating Inc., doing business as Lundt & Sears Plumbing & Heating, formally owned by Ron Sears, right.

Kent Hanson, 45, purchased the plumbing, heating and air conditioning business run by Ron Sears and formally took over as its new owner on April 1.

Set to be known as Hanson's Plumbing and Heating, the Spencer native-turned-business owner said it will continue to do business as Lundt & Sears for the time being. While Hanson assured the company's location, telephone number and employees -- including Les LaRue, Scott Kloewer, Scott Behrens, Pat Beck, Luke Sears, Rhonda Lorenzen, John McEntee and Brenda Zelinsky -- will also continue to remain, he smiled and said his working maxim of, "Get the job done, do whatever it takes and let's have fun doing it," will, however, prevail now.

"It's everybody's dream to own a business at one time or another, and we decided this was a good place to start," Hanson said of the partnership formed with Julie Hanson, his wife, who will serve as the corporation's vice president/secretary.

Of his former employer, Hanson added, "He's got a good customer base and he has people who walk in the door every day. The phone rings all the time. So, yes, this was a good place to jump."

Sears, who first asked Hanson if he'd be interested in taking the local company over two years ago, said of his successor, "I think a lot of Kent or I wouldn't have sold the business to him. ... It needed to stay with somebody who had the ability to run it within the company. So, I think this is an excellent opportunity for me and an excellent opportunity for him."

The recent business transaction between the two men began forming in 1967, when Sears was first employed by the late Ed Lundt at what was then known as Lundt Plumbing in Spencer. During his first four years on the job, Sears underwent an apprenticeship training program. He then earned a journeyman's license and a master plumbing and heating license in 1975.

One year later, Sears purchased one-half the establishment, which became Lundt & Sears Plumbing & Heating. By 1983, he took over the business. Sears' former boss continued to work for him for another 10 years.

"I had a good leader, a good teacher and somebody willing to help me get into it and then stay with me. So, it was just an absolute perfect opportunity for me," Sears said of Lundt and his decision to take the local business over in 1983.

The Spencer public-service patriarch acknowledged today's plumbing materials are of better quality than the copper and PVC piping used 30-40 years ago. Sears also clearly recalled the introduction of high-efficiency furnaces in the 1980s, estimating 4,000 furnaces were installed within 25 miles of the local business during his tenure.

"When people were having a hard time in the 80s, we were going 100 mph," he said. "And I think right now, with the stimulus packages out there and packages for people with rebates through their utility suppliers, it's a perfect opportunity for our business to thrive again."

Hanson, meanwhile, is alerting customers to anticipate that they can expect to see a few subtle changes under his leadership.

"The future's in geothermal, some of the higher-efficient water heaters and that type of thing. But, before I jump into it, I want to make sure that we fully investigate it and make sure we're getting a good product for people," he said. " ... The 'green' thing keeps on coming up. Saving energy is always going to be a big thing. We just need to continually push into all that, do what subtle changes there we can make and go from there."

Following his 1982 Spencer High School graduation, Hanson entered the U.S. Air Force. After spending the next 10 years based in Wyoming, Alaska and Illinois, the Staff Sgt. decided to leave the military's employ the year before the Chanute Air Force Base near Champaign, Ill. was closed. While his wife attended school, Hanson drove truck and worked part-time for friend Nate Kirchner in his plumbing and heating company. It was here that Hanson realized his passion for the business.

When the Hanson family -- including daughter Chantell Lawless of Chicago, son Nate Hanson of Storm Lake, and golden retrievers Bailey and Dakota -- returned to northwest Iowa in 1995, it relocated on the acreage he was born and raised on. Hanson drove truck, worked at Stylecraft Furniture and another plumbing and heating company in the Lakes area before walking in and talking to Sears in 1998.

He received a telephone call two weeks later asking him to come work as an installer and service technician for Lundt & Sears Plumbing & Heating. Hanson has done a little bit of everything ever since. The employee-turned-employer is a master plumber and certified in universal refrigeration who also enjoys remodeling the family home, camping and working on old cars outside of work.

Hanson admitted earlier this week that he still enjoys coming to work each day. While he knows he's not suited to just sit behind a desk, Hanson said he's planning to continue "going out with the guys" and working in that manner.

Sears, meanwhile, always said he planned to retire at the age of 62. With that milestone birthday celebrated last Saturday, Sears said he's now looking forward to doing new things when and at the pace he wants to. The University of Okoboji Corvette Club member who owns a dozen vintage cars and Corvettes will now have more time to work on them and the unique-finned boats of the late 1950s he collects and overhauls, to golf and to travel. Sears and his wife, Sue, who also plans to retire in June following a 40-plus year career with Blacks Hills Energy, own a home in Casa Grande, Ariz. they intend to winter at while summering in Okoboji. While the couple plan to sell their Spencer home, the former Spencer City Council member said he'll also have more time now to work on their local rental properties.

If requested, Sears said he'll also offer assistance at his former business.

"Ron's got a good head on his shoulders. He knows people and he's been around the business forever. There's a lot of knowledge there that I'm going to tap into and use over the next few years -- or as long as he'll let me anyway," Hanson said. "He's already said, 'I'm only a phone call away. If you need something, just call.' ... His knowledge will be greatly appreciated."

* Hanson's Plumbing and Heating Inc., dba Lundt & Sears Plumbing & Heating, is located at 101 E. Fifth St. in Spencer. The telephone number is 262-1514.