Schultheis Brothers Celebrates 66 Years, Family Ties

Katie Rullo, 23, recently created a Facebook page for her family's business, in Plum.

Rullo, the company's human resources director, said the social networking tool is a way to reach new customers. A lot has changed since her grandfather and great-uncle—Richard J. Schultheis and William Schultheis—started the heating and roofing business in 1946.

Because of that, the company's strategies also have had to change, but Rullo said she's thankful for that.

"The average lifespan for a company like this is five years," she said. "We've been around for 66."

Richard Schultheis, who just celebrated his 90th birthday late last year, continues to act as the company's president and chief executive officer. William Schultheis died about 10 years ago.

Schultheis said he's very happy to see his company to success.

"I'm getting tired," he said with a laugh. "But I feel a lot of satisfaction. I hope the business will continue with my family."

Schultheis Brothers primarily does roof replacement and repairs to residential and commercial businesses. In addition to doing roofing they also do HVAC and have a plumbing department.

Schultheis said he and his brother used to work for their uncles who were in roofing when they were teenagers. When they finished their duty in the military, they decided to start their own business.

The business first started in a garage at the Verona/Penn Hills border. In 1946, it had 10 employees.

Since then, the company has moved twice—to a location on Allegheny River Boulevard in Oakmont in 1957 with 50 employees, and to the current location on Millers Lane in Plum with 65 full-time employees and 15 part-time employees.

Schultheis Brothers has worked on projects at Carnegie Mellon University, McDonald's (including a location in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba) and the former Edgewater Steel in Oakmont.

In all of its years, the business always has been family-oriented, Rullo said.

Seven family members from three generations currently work at Schultheis Brothers.

"His whole family has worked here," Rullo said. "All of his seven brothers and sisters worked here, and now his children and grandchildren work here.

"He considers his employees as part of his family. It's like he has 80 extra children."

Last year, the company added plumbing services and an automotive department.

Mike Ward of North Huntingdon is the head of the new plumbing department.

"I feel there's a lot of pressure to maintain the company name, but life is as easy or as hard as you make it," he said. "The potential to lead a new division was exciting to me."

Rullo said she wants to see the company continue to expand.

"We want to fulfill all customer needs in one place because we have such a reputable name," Rullo said. "There are a million companies out there that do what we do, but they don't have my grandfather's name. I'm very proud of everything he has accomplished."

Facebook Contest

The celebrate the company's 66-year anniversary on June 1, Schultheis Brothers is holding an "Ugly Gutter Contest" on Facebook through June 2. Contestants must upload a picture of their ugly gutters on the company's Facebook page.

The winner will receive a $1,000 roofing credit toward a gutter replacement. The runner-up wins a free gutter cleaning.

John Davis, project manager at Schultheis, said a good gutter is necessary to make sure water stays out of your home. He said the contest prize should cover the entire cost for a mid-sized house.

Winners will be chosen on June 5. More information is available at www.schultheisbros.com.

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