My son works with me at our 120-year-old family business. I'm 72 and have been working there since age 12.
Michael Petri is the majority owner of his family's 120-year-old plumbing business. Now 71, he has worked there since 12 when he first helped his dad.
Michael Petri is the majority owner of his family's 120-year-old plumbing business. Now 71, he has worked there since 12 when he first helped his dad.
Read Full Story at Business Insider Mkt →Why This Matters
The longevity of a family business spanning over a century offers a rare window into America’s shifting economic landscape, where corporate giants dominate and small enterprises struggle to survive. Petri’s story underscores the resilience of family-run operations in an era of automation and consolidation, proving that personal commitment can outlast fleeting market trends. It also highlights the fading tradition of intergenerational workforces—a model where loyalty and craftsmanship often outweigh the allure of high-tech careers.
Background Context
Founded in 1904, Petri Plumbing began as a modest trade business in a rapidly industrializing America, long before zoning laws or corporate franchises reshaped urban landscapes. The company’s survival through the Great Depression, post-World War II housing booms, and the digitization of commerce reflects broader patterns of small business adaptation. Today, plumbing remains one of the few trades where hands-on expertise still commands premium pricing, even as AI and prefabricated parts threaten to automate parts of the industry.
What Happens Next
As Petri approaches retirement age, the business faces a critical inflection point: will the next generation formalize leadership structures, or will the company seek outside investment to scale? Watch for signs of digital integration in customer service—something competitors like HomeAdvisor have already embraced—while grappling with a shrinking pool of skilled tradespeople. The outcome could influence whether legacy businesses pivot toward hybrid models or surrender to market pressures.
Bigger Picture
Petri’s experience mirrors a quiet countertrend in the U.S. economy: the stubborn persistence of family-owned firms in industries thought dead or dying. These businesses often prioritize stability over growth, a philosophy increasingly at odds with venture capital’s short-term demands. Their stories also challenge the narrative that younger generations reject manual labor, revealing instead a gap between high school career counseling and the grit required to sustain a 120-year-old enterprise.
