KEE Sheet Metal: 74 years in, still built on people
By Kate Winquist
When KEE Sheet Metal opened in Kindersley in 1952, homes were heated by coal and oil furnaces and water ran through lead lines. Seventy-four years later, the plumbing, heating and air conditioning business is still serving the area. The commitment to service has carried it through every change along the way.
Kyle and Amber Strutt bought the business almost two years ago and say they have loved it ever since.
Kyle Strutt
Amber Strutt
KEE Sheet Metal now has 13 employees, plus seasonal help through the summer. The team handles all plumbing, heating and air conditioning work. There is more to the business than many people realize. KEE also does drain cleaning and duct cleaning, and has a full retail space stocked with Weber grills, pumps and hot tub chemicals.
“There are still people surprised we do duct cleaning,” said Kyle Strutt. “Also, lots of people that walk in are surprised by how many Weber grills we carry. But the most surprising is how handsome our technicians are.”
Jokes aside, the staff are what Kyle is proudest of. He points to the customer service his team provides and the staff’s willingness to go the extra mile to solve a customer’s problem.
That is also what keeps customers coming back. In the store, it’s the friendly staff who greet people at the door and the service they receive. Out in the field, it’s the knowledge KEE’s technicians bring to every call. They take the time to explain how the systems in a customer’s home actually work.
The company’s most popular line is Lennox furnaces and air conditioners. KEE Sheet Metal has been a Lennox dealer for its entire 74-year history and today holds Lennox Premier Dealer status. Lennox has been around for more than 130 years and “has always had a reputation of being the best products in the industry,” Kyle said.
Asked how the business has changed since 1952, Kyle answered, “Well, that’s a big question.”
The whole industry has transformed. Lead water lines and oil and coal furnaces gave way to natural gas lines and copper water lines. Today plastic materials are the most common. New materials have made installs easier, but homes have changed too. Houses that once had one bathroom and one kitchen now often have four or five bathrooms and more than one kitchen. Gas appliances have evolved with tankless water heaters and home automation systems.
Since the Strutts took over, KEE has renovated the showroom and shop areas and brought in new, modern systems to serve customers better. The business has also expanded its retail offerings to help fill needs in the community after Peavey Mart closed.
Giving back is a big part of who they are. Most KEE staff members volunteer in the community. Staff and owners serve on the boards of Minor Ball, the Curling Club, Minor Soccer and the Masonic Lodge. They coach minor sports teams and help with community events. The business also donates money and prizes to numerous local organizations.
“Giving back to the community is very important to the owners and staff of KEE Sheet Metal,” Kyle said. “We believe that volunteers are the backbone of our community.”
The people are what make Kindersley a great place to do business.
“The people in this community and surrounding area are fantastic,” Kyle said. “I love getting to meet so many people and getting the opportunity to help people when they need it most. The longer I have lived here, the more I appreciate how fortunate we are to live in a town with such great facilities and amenities.”
KEE’s service area is large, with customers from more than an hour away in every direction.
After seven decades there are plenty of memories, from the people who have worked there to the jobs they’ve been on. Kyle’s favourite moment happens every morning, before the crew heads out for the day.
“Every morning there’s socializing, teasing and camaraderie,” he said. “I believe that all the owners of KEE Sheet Metal have always prioritized hiring people that can get along and creating a fun work environment where everyone cares about each other and helps each other out.”
Next, KEE Sheet Metal is looking to grow its team with a couple of new apprentices and more administrative help. The business keeps adding products and services to serve customers better.
As for what else is coming, Kyle is keeping it under wraps. “You will have to wait and see what’s new on the horizon.”
Why does shopping local matter?
“The people selling products in this community are the same ones buying from your business,” Kyle said. “If we want to have the opportunity to buy things locally, we need to support the people selling them. I’ve never seen Amazon or Costco with a sign in our rink, on our ball fields, or donating to any local organizations.”