For 90 years, they’ve had their ducts in a row

EAST CANAAN — When William Perotti started his humble plumbing business back in 1928 with just two employees, it was more than a pipe dream. It was the start of a family legacy.

Defying the odds of a family-run business surviving at the fourth-generation level and beyond, William Perotti and Sons Inc. has entered its 90th year in business. It has weathered the economy, changing technology, competition and a fire caused by a lightning strike in 1996 that reduced the original building to rubble. The family rebuilt and persevered.

That major milestone was marked on Friday, Oct. 12, with an anniversary party attended by hundreds of customers, well-wishers and local and state officials. Gold and yellow balloons marked the path leading to the East Canaan business, where the large parking lot was filled to capacity and both sides of Furnace Hill Road leading up to the plumbing shop was lined with cars.

“I knew I was going to be a plumber since high school,” said Frank Perotti, who with his brother, Charlie, followed in their father’s footsteps.  Frank, whose role is owner/treasurer, joined the business after graduating from high school in 1954. 

Neither of William’s sons ever considered working outside the family’s business. Plumbing, they said, was in their blood. 

“I grew up doing it; I just liked it,” said Charlie Perotti, who in 1966 joined his father and brother in the business full–time after graduating from high school. Perotti, who currently is vice president of William Perotti & Sons Inc., served for many years as North Canaan’s fire chief, and is currently the town’s first selectman.

 Statistics from the Small Business Association reveal that only one-third of family-owned businesses survive into the second generation. If that hurdle is cleared, tougher ones lie ahead. Only 12 percent of family-owned businesses survive into the third generation, and a mere 3 percent are viable into the fourth generation and beyond, according to The Family Firm Institute.

The family timeline goes like this: Two years after launching his plumbing business in 1928, William “Bill” Perotti married Lena Contoreggi and they ran the plumbing shop out of their barns until 1954. In 1959, the first addition was added to the building for a new office space. By 1966, both sons had come on board full time and, in 1967, the shop was again expanded to add office space, and Frank’s wife Jean (Riva) Perotti, took over the bookkeeping from Lena Perotti.

“We returned from our honeymoon and Frank’s mother handed me the books,” Jean Perotti recalled.

In 1969, the company became a corporation, William Perotti & Sons Inc. At that time Bill turned over control of the company to his son Frank as president and Charlie as vice president. Their sister, Anna Fallon, became a stock holder and Jean Perotti was appointed controller of the business.

By 1973, a third addition was added to the shop to allow for more storage. Seven years later, a tin shop was built onto the back of the building. 

In 1987, Frank’s son, Francis “Champ” Perotti, graduated from Western New England College with a degree in mechanical engineering, and a third generation joined the plumbing business with his appointment as secretary. Champ Perotti now serves as owner and president of the company.

Today, William Perotti & Sons Inc. has more than 40 employees. In addition to a complete range of plumbing, the business has evolved with the times. Services now include ductwork and duct cleaning, fixtures, air conditioning, heating system replacement, radiant heating, humidification and dehumidification, water technology and treatment, solar and geothermal systems, electric heat pump installations and smart phone-controlled home technology.

“They have built much of North Canaan in their 90 years in business, and have responded countless times to emergency calls from residents with heating problems, or with frozen pipes,” said Dan Stanyon, trust officer with Salisbury Bank and Trust and also a customer. “They hire good people and they keep them, even when times are bad.” He credited customer service and expertise for William Perotti & Sons Inc.’s success. “Most businesses fall apart at the second generation.”

Addressing the large crowd of well-wishers, Frank Perotti noted that “Ninety years is a long time; I want to make it to 100, though.” He thanked his long-time customers, vendors and employees for their support. “Everybody works as a team, and that’s a blessing.”

Laughter erupted when he put the spotlight — and the pressure — on the fourth generation’s responsibility to continue the legacy set in motion by their great-grandfather 90 years ago. Addressing Mary Perotti, who joined the business full–time in 2013 after college and is now the business manager and corporate secretary, and William “Will” Perotti, who joined the company in May after graduating from college with a degree in business management, Frank noted: “Now they just have to get started on their own families to keep it going.”