When lifelong New Glarus resident and New Glarus High School graduate Brandon Engen opened Engen Plumbing Service (EPS) in October 2022, he knew he was filling an important need. “Work is work, but when you can help people you know it just feels different,” Brandon said. “It makes you feel good knowing they're happy and you helped them. What I love the most is hearing someone say how much they appreciate that we have a plumber in town.”

Brandon’s journey to becoming a Master Plumber began during high school when a local business owner encouraged him to consider the trades. “In the spring of 1993 and still in high school, I took a class required to apply to become an apprentice,” he said. “I was hired by a company in Madison and was indentured into the program in August of 1993.” After four years and approximately 8,500 hours of required training, he passed the Journeyman plumbing exam in 1997 and the Masters exam in 1999. He spent 29 years with the same company, eventually serving as director of the Service and Remodeling Division.

Starting EPS allowed Brandon to bring his experience back to the community he loves. “After making the decision to start Engen Plumbing Service, I only have one regret. That was to not have done so sooner!” he said. “There’s no place I’d rather be based than here in New Glarus.”