Richard F. Kuntz, founder and now retired president, started Jupiter-Tequesta at the age of 30. He started out in new construction, saw the opportunity in service and repair, and has been focused on residential service and replacement ever since. Covering residential homes in the Florida counties of Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie, Jupiter-Tequesta now offers service, maintenance and replacement for plumbing, HVAC and electrical.
The Jupiter, Fla.-based company has 48 employees and 30 trucks. It uses four different kinds of trucks: the Ford Transit for HVAC maintenance; the Ford E250 along with 12 box trucks for HVAC installations; the Ford E350 with a 12–in. Spartan box for plumbing service; and the Ford KUV body for electrical service.
Auto Art Graphics, also located in Jupiter, designed the truck wraps. The colorful wrap is on all 30 trucks, in different styles. “We wanted a design that would catch the eye and be remembered; the faces get everyone’s attention,” says Matthew Kuntz, vice president and son of Richard Kuntz. “They do a great job for a fair price and work hard so we never lose a day’s work.”
Some trucks feature both father and son in full, along with company info, while others such as the E350s feature just the logo on both sides with Richard Kuntz’s head on the driver’s side and Matthew Kuntz’s head on the passenger’s side (pictured above).
Another design includes the addition of turtles swimming across the side. The door reads, “A portion of this van’s proceeds are donated to: Loggerhead Marinelife Center.” And the “Same-day service” promise is moved underneath the phone number.
Having seen the idea in other local industries, the company decided it also wanted to give back to the local community. Having done so for about a year, Matthew Kuntz notes the company has donated on average $1,500 to $2,000 a month.
“Since day one we have always had same-day service,” he says. “When you need service, the last thing you want is to have to wait days for it. We offer all clients, new and old, same-day service. We are in the customer service business and being there when they call is important.”
Kuntz adds that the service promise is held true for all departments every day of the week. The company offers emergency service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year.
In addition to parking its trucks at events around the community, the company uses many different media outlets as well, including radio, television and home shows.
“The company doesn’t need a slogan because our branding is our face,” Kuntz remarks.
