GEM PLUMBING & HEATING SERVICES, INC
HISTORY

Founded in 1949 by Larry Gemma, Gem Plumbing & Heating Company is a family owned business located in Lincoln,  RI.  With the assistance of his wife Gloria, Larry began operating out of his home garage with only one truck, providing plumbing and heating service work for his customers.  In addition to raising their nine children, Gloria dispatched plumbing calls to Larry from their home.

In 1982, upon graduating from college, Larry, Leonard and Edward Gemma, along with their brother Anthony, guided the Company in a new direction.  With a new mission to provide a large customer base with true 24 hour emergency service, each son bought a truck and joined their father in providing plumbing service throughout the community.

In 1997, Gem Plumbing & Heating doubled their workforce to over 40 employees while continuing to develop a large customer base in the service division as well as taking on larger construction jobs.
 
Over the next five years, Gem Plumbing & Heating grew both in service and construction, adding approximately 20-50 new employees every year. 

Over the past few years, Gem has won several awards including The 2006 Constructech Award for Innovation, The 2005 Contractor of the Year Award (PHC Contractor Magazine), 2005 Constructech Award for Innovation – Field To Base Technology, The 2005 Training Company of the Year (Airtime 500), The 2005 Training Company of the Year (Plumbers Success International), The Delta Contractor of the Year -  2nd Place, The Wosley “World Cup London” For Innovation – Ferguson Integrated Supply, The 2004 Excellence in Business Award - Over 100 Employees (Providence Business News), The 2004 Best Contractor To Work For (HVAC News), 2004 Innovation Award (SBANE), 2004 Small Family Owned Business of the Year Award (SBA) (State and Regional Winner), and The 2004 Constructech Award for Innovation.  In addition, Gem has also won several awards for their dedication to community service.

Gem was ranked 54th in the largest privately owned companies in Rhode Island in 2001, 52nd in 2002, 51st in 2003, 31st in 2004 and 41st in 2005 by Providence Business News.  In addition, Gem Plumbing & Heating Company has made the top 100 fastest growing companies in Rhode Island for the past five years, ranking 9th in 2000, 13th in 2001, 22nd in 2002, 32nd in 2003, 11th in 2004 and 13th in 2005 by Providence Business News. 

Today, Gem Plumbing & Heating Company has over 300 employees over 165 trucks making it one of largest plumbing & heating companies in the United States.  Gem continually strives to provide the best in customer service coupled with the most knowledgeable plumbers and service technicians in Rhode Island.

In 2004, the Gemma Family established the Gem Institute For Performance Excellence in an effort to share their knowledge and help other companies achieve world-class results through performance excellence.  The Institute offers two hour tours of Gem Plumbing & Heating and also offers a number of courses specifically designed to help organizations reach maximum efficiency.  

Gem Plumbing & Heating and The Gemma family are also committed to the local community.  The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation was established in early 2004 in memory of their mom who died from this horrific disease.  The mission of the foundation is to provide help to breast cancer organizations in their fight to raise breast cancer awareness and to bring help and comfort to the patients and families in our community that are suffering from this disease.   100% of the net proceeds remain in the local community and Gem donates a portion of the proceeds from every service call to the Foundation.  Gem was also awarded the “Outstanding Partner in Philanthropy” Award from St. Mary’s Home for Children.  In addition to the award, St. Mary’s Home for Children also dedicated a new wing to the Gemma Family for their outstanding dedication and commitment to their welfare.

Gem’s mission…through our world-class customer service, our dedication to excellence, and our random acts of kindness ®, we will exceed your expectations…everyday.