The paths of Stutzman Services and Plumbing Plus seemed to cross frequently over the years. The similarities between the companies dictated the encounters.

Now the two local companies will combine their services under one roof.

"Our job was to get water to the homes and theirs was to take it from that point," said Stutzman Services president Kevin Rediger. "Bringing our services together seemed like a natural thing to do."

Stutzman Services specializes in providing local water needs from water treatment and well water systems, as well as landscape design, construction and grounds maintenance. That made acquiring additional services in plumbing an obvious step according to Rediger.

Discussions went on for a year before the two companies combined their services under the Stutzman name and began working as one in January.

"It will be centrally located as far as administration," said marketing director Kevin Konzelman. "They become another division of Stutzman Services."

That would be the plumbing division, which will still work out of the Plumbing Plus facility. Communications will run from the Stutzman Services location on Spicer Road.

Konzelman said the additional phone lines and staffing are in place to handle the new arm of the business.

"Over the years we've worked pretty closely," Rediger said. "A lot of times we would either need each other's services or refer one another. We thought it was a good idea to take advantage of the synergy."

Brent and Rod Stutzman, who have run Plumbing Plus since 1988, saw the advantages as well.

"It's a better opportunity for our customers," said Brent. "Even our contractors are excited about it."

The addition of Plumbing Plus and its nine certified journeyman plumbers brings the Stutzman Services payroll to close to 50, according to Rediger.

"Everything remains intact. No one was let go during the process," he said.

Konzelman said incorporating the programs helps Stutzman re-establish itself within the community. A new logo is part of defining the total product.

Part of that product is being able to stay with the latest developments in all the services that the company provides.

"For us it's an opportunity to stay on the cutting edge and expand our service," said Rod Stutzman.

Employees for both companies have bought into the joint operation. And the public seems to welcome it as well.

"We had a lot of positive feedback from the Home Show," said Konzelman.

Letters explaining the acquisition went out to customers in January and again response has been only positive.

"Any time we can take advantage of efficiencies and reduce costs it is positive," Rediger said. "Service is important to our business. This allows us to build on it and improve it."

And both companies felt the move turned out to be a strong one in the face of the toughening economic times.

Konzelman said there are two ways to approach the economy.

"Rather than stay the same, our way was to move forward," he said. "It seemed the better road to take."