2025 Superstars in Business Winner: Boulden Brothers | 50-150 Employees

Four Generations Strong

How Boulden Brothers evolved from a small Newark coal business into a trusted regional service provider

BY AMANDA SCHIMMEL | PHOTOS BY NICK WALLACE PHOTOGRAPHY

In 1943, brothers Urie Sr. and Omar Boulden set up shop in Newark, Del., and began delivering coal to the community. Just a year later, Omar bought out his brother and expanded into heating oil delivery, laying the foundation for what would become a growing enterprise. The next generation soon followed, with Urie Jr. merging his own heating oil business with his uncle’s in 1963, rebranding as Boulden Oil Company and steadily adding new services like propane, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical.

As markets shifted, the business adapted. In 2014, brothers Tim and Mike Boulden took the reins and reintroduced the company’s original name: Boulden Brothers.

“We became a fourth-generation business when my son stepped into the company in 2023,” explains Tim Boulden, president and co-owner. “Boulden Brothers is one of the largest residential service companies in our area that is still family owned and operated.”

Today, Boulden Brothers offers plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical services throughout New Castle County, Del.; Southern Chester County, Pa.; and Cecil County, Md. Technicians handle everything from repairs and preventive maintenance to new installations, using advanced diagnostic tools and a comprehensive approach — including their signature ‘Bouldenizations,’ which restore systems to factory specifications.

That same level of care extends to plumbing and electrical work, including water heaters and drain cleaning, panel upgrades, and EV charger installations. By offering multiple services under one roof, the company makes it easier for homeowners and businesses to maintain safe, efficient, and comfortable spaces.

Training and development are another cornerstone of the business. “We are recognized as a Center of Excellence Training Facility by Certain Path, which means that technicians come from across the country to learn and grow at our facility,” Boulden says. Additionally, each team member wears a Technician Seal of Safety, earned only after passing a rigorous nationwide background check, pre-employment screening, and regular drug testing.

Beyond safety, Boulden Brothers invests in ongoing professional development with training given through a mix of in-house sessions, off-site learning opportunities, and an e-learning platform. New technicians start with a monthlong level-one course before advancing through the subsequent stages that build both technical expertise and communication skills.

To further support their team, the company offers tuition reimbursement, scholarships for employees’ dependents, and comprehensive onboarding that blends professional training with personal goal setting. “Boulden Brothers may be a small, family-owned business, but the ‘family feel’ extends to how we treat our team,” Boulden says. “We invest in their success, both at work and at home.”

Clients also play a key role in shaping the business. Before an appointment, they receive a text with their technician’s photo and biography, and after the visit they’re invited to share quick feedback. Any concerns are sent directly to management for immediate follow-up, while ongoing feedback drives long-term improvements, like the recent changes to their Club Membership program.

“We celebrate our wins too. Our technicians are rewarded for each positive review they receive. During our monthly all-hands meetings, we love to display and read all the amazing positive reviews that make it to our social media,” adds Boulden.

From delivering coal in the company’s earliest days to providing a full range of plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical services today, Boulden Brothers has always adapted to meet the needs of its community. What hasn’t changed are the principles behind the work: honesty, integrity, and a commitment to treating people with fairness and respect. Now four generations strong, the business continues its tradition of family ownership and community service while helping homeowners stay safe and comfortable.