THOUGHTS FROM THE JOHN

Mr. C celebrated his 90th birthday on June 18th, within days of the company’s 60th anniversary. Reflecting on the time over the last 60 years brings many great memories. The first memory associated with the business was riding on the back of a small motorcycle to the first Watertown office, a two- car garage at 265 Pleasant Street. Mr. C was around 35 and I could not have been any older than 5 or 6, just old enough to be able to hold on. We lived at the other end of Bridge Street and at that time, there was only a footbridge, and the bike saved time by not having to back track through Watertown Square.

My Uncle Joe kept me busy by having me clean the ends of the junk copper, and wire brushing pipe wrench teeth with WD 40. Another shop favorite was repainting the used sanitary and storm cast iron fittings with asphalt for reuse. When I was 16, I was indentured as an apprentice with the state and worked on multiple projects, in all trades over the course of six years. One time while working at a new office building for Prime Computer, the plumbers left me in the bathroom cutting water closet bolts and installing toilet accessories and laughed when I worked through coffee. The next day I did not forget to wear my watch. The following summer, I worked with the pipe fitters at Walpole high school and spent weeks demolishing hundreds of cast iron radiator connections with a three pound hammer. Talk about getting your bell rung.

We worked very closely with Harrington Brothers, and they let me help out too, installing sheet metal flues and small ventilation duct work. Throughout these years, I went to many industry events and customer offices with Mr. C and met many industry professionals and masters of their trade.

The company started to self-perform Fire Protection in 1985. I would estimate and design using the pipe schedule design method. After seeing unsatisfactory cost reports on my first such project, Mr. C said: “get in the car, we’re going out to 35 Kneeland to have a word with the foreman.” After the brief meeting, the foreman quietly put his hand on my shoulder and said, “hey kid, I didn’t tell your father, but we had to recut almost every piece of pipe. Do me a favor and stick to estimating from now on.” He was a true gentleman for sure.

Building the company, my father was a tough cookie to say the least, but always there to support me, my brothers, and all employees.

This learning experience at a very young age is a gift that I will always cherish: The craftsmanship and knowledge in the trades; humility that everyone has good ideas to share; and most of all action with attention to detail and sense of urgency in business.

There is a tremendous sense of pride in a 60th anniversary. It is very rewarding to see continuous improvements coming from all projects, groups, and individual contributors alike. This positive culture of teambased trust is what will drive our success well into the future.

Please stay safe this Summer and thank you for your continued support!

John