For George Faria, owning his own plumbing business had always been the goal. That dream became a reality nearly two years ago when he purchased the long-established South Coast plumbing company A&T Plumbing Heating & Mechanical.
George got an early start in the plumbing industry, learning the trade while attending Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. After graduation, he gained experience on large commercial projects, eventually managing multimillion-dollar plumbing installations for schools and other major facilities across Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod.
"I've always wanted to keep moving up," he says. "In this industry, you start as an apprentice and work your way through the ranks. I was always looking for the next challenge and opportunity to grow."
That drive ultimately led him to entrepreneurship. After hearing from industry contacts that the owner of A&T Plumbing was considering selling the business, George made a cold call that would change the course of his career. Rather than sell the business right away, the owner invited George to join the company and become familiar with its operations. A few years later, the two reached an agreement for George to purchase the business.
Founded in 1998 and based in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, A&T Plumbing serves residential and commercial customers throughout the South Coast and surrounding communities. The company specializes in plumbing repairs and service work, while also handling new construction, remodeling, and rehabilitation projects.
Although customers still know the business as A&T Plumbing, the company now legally operates under the name MAS Plumbing, a corporation named after George’s three daughters, Madelyn, Aubrey, and Sophia. But given A&T’s strong reputation and decades of brand recognition, George chose to continue doing business under the established A&T name.
Since George has taken over, A&T has continued to grow. The company has expanded from a staff of around eight to a current team of fourteen full-time employees. As the business has grown, it has also invested in its employees by offering benefits including health insurance, dental coverage, and a 401(k) retirement plan that George is especially proud of. "That was a big milestone for us," he says. "It gives employees more incentive to stay and grow with the company and helps them build a future for themselves."
Just as George got his start in the plumbing industry through his time at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech, A&T also works closely with local vocational schools to provide co-op opportunities that allow students to gain hands-on experience. The company regularly welcomes young people into the business, helping introduce them to careers in plumbing and construction.
The business is equally committed to supporting the communities it serves. George is a member of the South Coast Business Alliance, an organization dedicated to raising funds for at-risk youth throughout the South Coast community. A&T Plumbing also supports local schools, youth sports programs, scholarship initiatives, and public safety organizations through donations and sponsorships.
"You have to give back," George says. "If you're not giving back to your community, you're not really doing your service as a business owner or even as a person."
That same sense of responsibility extends to the company's approach to customer service. A&T offers discounts for seniors and veterans and works with customers facing financial hardships whenever possible.
The previous owner of A&T Plumbing was a longtime BankFive customer and highly recommended the bank during the transition of ownership. We’re glad George took his advice and kept the business with BankFive. "BankFive has been a blessing," he says. "I've worked with other banks over the years, but BankFive has always been willing to go above and beyond and help us succeed."
Looking toward the future, George remains focused on growing the company while continuing to build A&T's reputation for quality workmanship, investing in employees, and providing exceptional service throughout the South Coast.
BankFive is proud to call A&T Plumbing Heating & Mechanical a partner and appreciates the company’s commitment to its customers and the local community. To learn more about A&T, visit aandtplumbing.net or follow them on Facebook.
George got an early start in the plumbing industry, learning the trade while attending Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School. After graduation, he gained experience on large commercial projects, eventually managing multimillion-dollar plumbing installations for schools and other major facilities across Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod.
"I've always wanted to keep moving up," he says. "In this industry, you start as an apprentice and work your way through the ranks. I was always looking for the next challenge and opportunity to grow."
That drive ultimately led him to entrepreneurship. After hearing from industry contacts that the owner of A&T Plumbing was considering selling the business, George made a cold call that would change the course of his career. Rather than sell the business right away, the owner invited George to join the company and become familiar with its operations. A few years later, the two reached an agreement for George to purchase the business.
Founded in 1998 and based in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, A&T Plumbing serves residential and commercial customers throughout the South Coast and surrounding communities. The company specializes in plumbing repairs and service work, while also handling new construction, remodeling, and rehabilitation projects.
Although customers still know the business as A&T Plumbing, the company now legally operates under the name MAS Plumbing, a corporation named after George’s three daughters, Madelyn, Aubrey, and Sophia. But given A&T’s strong reputation and decades of brand recognition, George chose to continue doing business under the established A&T name.
Since George has taken over, A&T has continued to grow. The company has expanded from a staff of around eight to a current team of fourteen full-time employees. As the business has grown, it has also invested in its employees by offering benefits including health insurance, dental coverage, and a 401(k) retirement plan that George is especially proud of. "That was a big milestone for us," he says. "It gives employees more incentive to stay and grow with the company and helps them build a future for themselves."
Just as George got his start in the plumbing industry through his time at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech, A&T also works closely with local vocational schools to provide co-op opportunities that allow students to gain hands-on experience. The company regularly welcomes young people into the business, helping introduce them to careers in plumbing and construction.
The business is equally committed to supporting the communities it serves. George is a member of the South Coast Business Alliance, an organization dedicated to raising funds for at-risk youth throughout the South Coast community. A&T Plumbing also supports local schools, youth sports programs, scholarship initiatives, and public safety organizations through donations and sponsorships.
"You have to give back," George says. "If you're not giving back to your community, you're not really doing your service as a business owner or even as a person."
That same sense of responsibility extends to the company's approach to customer service. A&T offers discounts for seniors and veterans and works with customers facing financial hardships whenever possible.
The previous owner of A&T Plumbing was a longtime BankFive customer and highly recommended the bank during the transition of ownership. We’re glad George took his advice and kept the business with BankFive. "BankFive has been a blessing," he says. "I've worked with other banks over the years, but BankFive has always been willing to go above and beyond and help us succeed."
Looking toward the future, George remains focused on growing the company while continuing to build A&T's reputation for quality workmanship, investing in employees, and providing exceptional service throughout the South Coast.
BankFive is proud to call A&T Plumbing Heating & Mechanical a partner and appreciates the company’s commitment to its customers and the local community. To learn more about A&T, visit aandtplumbing.net or follow them on Facebook.