Business Spotlight: Schlosser & Associates

BY REGINA DONATO

When Schlosser Plumbing & Heating was founded in 1954, one gallon of gas cost only 22 cents. A lot has changed since then, but one thing has never wavered: their company’s dedication to satisfying customers by always making sure a job is done right.

Paul Schlosser Sr. started his business with one goal in mind: to provide quality and affordable plumbing services to the Newark area. Since then, Schlosser & Associates Mechanical Contractors Inc. has grown to become a one-stop-shop for many residential, commercial, and industrial services, including HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, concrete work, interior restoration, and more.

Company Founder Paul Schlosser Sr. on a job site.

As a legacy woman-owned company, Schlosser & Associates truly believes in the power of keeping it in the family. Garnet Schlosser Dennis— Paul’s daughter—and her husband, Steve Dennis, are joint owners of the company. “I think there’s something to be said for the consistency and history of a family business,” said Garnet Dennis. “I’ve always been very proud to be a part of this and continue my father’s business.”

Traditionally, only 30-40 percent of family-owned businesses make the transition into a second generation. For Schlosser, a third generation is also now involved with Garnet and Steve’s son, Justin, involved in the mix.

Darryl Remedio Sr., the company’s third owner, has also passed the torch amongst family—his son Darryl Jr. now works at Schlosser. As a testament to the company’s generational success, Schlosser & Associates was honored with Delaware Business Time’s Family- Owned Business Legacy Award in 2019.

If you ask the owners, the true power of Schlosser & Associates lies directly within the second half of their name—the associates. They employ around 50 full-time associates, some of whom have been with the company for nearly 40 years. The sheer versatility of Schlosser & Associates would not be possible without the dedication, talent, and skills of their associates, who are everything from plumbers to carpenters to welders.

“We pride ourselves in being able to do just about anything,” Steve Dennis explained. “And the reason we can do that is because of our talented people, we are nothing without them.” For a small business, the range of services Schlosser & Associates offers is quite broad, setting them apart in a market so heavily saturated with single-service companies.

In an age where so many employers are struggling to find or maintain employees, Schlosser & Associates does not—a testament to the culture leadership has fostered over the years. They have implemented creative approaches to maintain positivity and encourage growth in the workplace, including the “Schlosser Way” internal reward program, a fun way to engage associates through rewarding them via yards gained on a football field. “We show loyalty to our associates, just like they have shown us over the years,” said Garnet. The ownership team at Schlosser & Associates does everything in their power to make it known that their company is not just family-owned, but that their entire community of associates is a part of the family too.

As Schlosser & Associates moves into their eighth decade of business, there is a lot to reflect upon. “We are so grateful for our loyal customers, dedicated associates and trusted business affiliates,” reflected Steve. “Everything they’ve done for us puts us in a great position moving into the future.”