We’ve Been Around Longer Than The Walt Disney Company.
Almost 110 years and counting…
We are family owned and operated business since 1911. From Sam Segal who founded the business to Ben Segal who took over from his father, Sam, in 1946 to Stan Segal who took over from his father, Ben, in 1977 and continues to run the company to this day with his nephew, Arthur, the fourth generation Segal. We have always operated it with our core philosophy of relentlessly caring for our customers. No matter whether they are homeowners or commercial/industrial/municipal employees, they are all people to us.
Our history would even impress Walt Disney. And he was a notoriously tough customer.
Sam Segal, Our founder
The original Segal entrepreneur. Born in the late 1800s, he was a tin smith, a copper smith, a roofer and a plumber. In fact, his Master Plumber Phila license was #109, registered in 1910. He was the original jack-of-all-trades…or Sam-of-all-trades as he used to say.
The story goes that he used a pushcart to haul his tools around with him in downtown Philly. He would push it back and forth across the Delaware River Bridge to Camden for his jobs. Now, that took real dedication and hard work. Real manual labor. We’re not sure if he wore that bowtie to work, but he was always a snappy dresser wearing his derby hat wherever he went. He certainly looks awfully dapper to us.
Ben Segal, The second generation
Ben followed in his father’s footsteps. Quite literally. He would tag along with his dad on various jobs throughout the years, learning the trade, how to work honestly and fairly with customers. In fact, Sam would rent a horse and wagon for Ben to carry the piping for the bigger jobs since it wouldn’t fit in the pushcart. The business was starting grow.
In fact, eventually the horse became obsolete when Ben bought a Model A Ford with a rumble seat to go to his jobs. He too was a snappy dresser just like his dad and inherited all of his father’s bow ties and wore them religiously. He eventually took over the business along with the storefront in 1946 and moved it to Whitpain Township where it became known as Allen’s Hardware & Plumbing. He continued to run the business until his son took over in 1977.
Stan Segal, The third generation
At the ripe young age of 12, Stan started to tag along with his father on various plumbing jobs and like a dutiful son would hand him tools upon request. Ben eyed the makings of the next generation of Segal plumbers. And in those days, kids actually listened to their parents and Stan went to plumbing school at nights lugging his books and pipe wrench throughout the five years. He was apparently a prodigy and finished at the top of his class.
In 1977, he took over the business and ran it with his brother, Lawrence. Always the innovator, Stan moved the plumbing business to a 7000 square foot space in Conshohocken in 1983 where he was one of the first to have a high-pressure water jet and sewer inspection camera. In time, he expanded the business buying more innovative equipment that helped him become a specialist in all sewer related work.
Much like his father and grandfather, he too is a snappy dresser; however, he refuses to wear the bowties of those who preceded him. He is his own thoroughly modern man.
Arthur Segal, The fourth generation
Arthur currently works with his Uncle Stan and is always seen at jobs, rolling up his sleeves and doing the heavy lifting. He is well liked by all who encounter him.
