Schaefer Plumbing and Supply
Schaefer Plumbing and Supply Co., Inc., of Buffalo is a growing family business, with three branches complementing the original enterprise.For its continued growth and support of the local community, Schaefer Plumbing and Supply is a recipient of a 2000 Galanis Award for Excellence in Family Business.
The company, a supplier for plumbers and steamfitters in western New York, was founded in 1891 by the Schaefer family and has remained a fixture on Clinton Street in downtown Buffalo.
In 1977, the business was purchased by John Dietrick, who started working at Schaefer in 1949 in an entry-level position and worked his way up through the ranks. Dietrick turned around a business that was near bankruptcy when he acquired it.
Today, Schaefer has branches in Lockport and Batavia and also operates Jamestown Pipe and Supply Co. in Jamestown. Annual sales are more than $9 million and the company employs 35 people.
John Dietrick retired in 1987 and his sons, Mark, Joel and Thomas assumed control of the company. They hold the positions of president-treasurer, vice president, and secretary, respectively.
The business is involved in numerous community activities, helping to raise nearly $200,000 for charity. Among the charitable organizations the company is involved with is Families for the Adoption of Abandoned Children (FANA) of Western New York, of which Joel Dietrick and his wife Nancy are vice presidents. The company is a sponsor of an Easter Seals charity softball event. Mark Dietrick is involved in Boy Scouts and is a Little League coach.