Next Gen All Star: Andrew Milne

By Nicole Krawcke

Andrew Milne

AGE: 23

COMPANY: MILNE PLUMBING AND HEATING

TITLE: APPRENTICE

How long have you been in the PHCP-PVF industry?

AM: 5 years.

What drew you into the industry?

AM: Being able to work with my hands and be a part of my fathers business

What is the most rewarding aspect of working in the industry?

AM: Being able to help families in times of need and being able to show my craftsmanship in the trade.

What motivates you every day?

AM: The biggest motivation that I have is seeing how hard my father works. Working day and night to make sure that people get exactly what they need for the right price.

What is one thing you wish more people knew/understood about the PHCP-PVF industry?

AM: That it’s not just toilets and clogged drains. Almost every day I get too build and create what I would call pieces of art, whether its building a boiler, roughing in a brand new house, or doing the finishing touches on a beautiful kitchen.

What has been the proudest moment in your career so far?

AM: Doing my first boiler by myself, knowing that I had put everything I had into creating a system that would provide a home heat and hot water while also being perfectly level and to specifications that will operate seamlessly.

What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

AM: That I didn’t do it for the money, its easy for people to think that when they hear that I'm taking over my fathers business. While actually the reasons is that I knew that college wouldn’t be right for me and it has always been a life goal of mine to do my best to make my father proud.

Why he was chosen as a Next Gen All Star Top 20 Under 40 winner:

“After graduating high school, Andrew came to his father and made the difficult decision not to attend college, as all his friends were doing, but instead sign up for his apprentice license. His decision was a good one, as in no time, the firm started to receive compliments as to what a polite and helpful young man was. As the saying goes, ‘the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree!’ Andrew is honing his people skills too and has proven to be skilled regarding customer relations. Well on his way to being a top-notch PHVAC technician, learning the business side, soon testing for his Journeyman's license, and rapidly becoming a customer favorite at Milne Plumbing & Heating. After two years, Andrew came forward with ideas and products the business should be using and how the business could become more profitable. He now meets with his father every Saturday morning to learn more about the business and discuss how to grow the business.

“Scott, Andrew's dad told me: ‘As his father I cannot express enough how proud I am of him. When I started my own company 40 years ago, my intention was to get to retirement age, sells some old stock and some old trucks, and the business would go away. Now with Andrew’s enthusiasm and desire to take over the business, I am proud to realize the business will outlive me, and Andrew will take over the helm.’” — Dave Yates

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Nicole Krawcke is the former Chief Editor of Plumbing & Mechanical and PM Engineer magazines. She covered the HVAC and plumbing industries for BNP Media. She has more than 15 years of writing and editing experience and holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Michigan State University.