Kris Chagnon

date:        Wednesday, December 10, 2003
name:        Kris Chagnon
.
THEN
 from:       1995
 to:         1996
 department: Quality
.
NOW
 status:     at home parent
 employer:
 position:   Mom and Slave to the House
 city:       Dover, NH
 web:
 email:      mkchagnon (AT) comcast.net 

Martel family plumbing and heating business started from a layoff

By EMILY ZIMMERMAN

Democrat Staff Writer

DOVER Paul Martel Sr. was laid off from a plumbing and heating company in the late 1960s. However, the layoff did not bring him down. It gave him an idea -- to go into business for himself.

Paul and his brother, Richard, opened Martel Plumbing and Heating, Inc. in 1968 at Paul's home on Tolend Road, and it's grown ever since.

They converted the garage into a shop. The kitchen counter became the office.

"We kept growing. We outgrew every space we moved to," said Katherine Martel, Paul's wife.

After Paul and Richard started the company, the service demand became too much for just two people. They had to hire more employees and move the business to an industrial park in Dover in 1973.

The business moved several times after that to Portland Avenue in the 1980s and Crosby Road in 1995 and to its current location at 59 Old Rochester Road.

In 1992 Paul retired and passed on the company to his children, Paul Martel Jr., Peter Martel, Lynda Robidas and Kristine Chagnon. They all run the company on Old Rochester Road today. Martel now has 25 employees.

Lynda's husband, Ed, is the president of Martel Plumbing and Heating, Paul Jr. is the vice president, Lynda is treasurer and Kristine is secretary. Peter Martel was general manager for many years until he retired three years ago.

Paul Martel Sr. said the business has been extremely successful but has gone through its shares of ups and downs. He had to downsize the business in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s during recessions. Due to a slowing economy Paul Martel Sr. had to lay off employees but kept on family members.

"Those times were really trying, but we are doing really well now," Lynda Robidas said.

The Martel children worked for their father starting at a young age. Chagnon delivered heating and plumbing supplies to workers at job sites when she was 16.

Paul Jr. and Peter Martel washed cars for 50 cents when they were 10. After high school they decided to work for their dad instead of going on to college. Paul Martel Jr. has been working for Martel Plumbing and Heating for 30 years.

"I am still waiting for my 25-year pin," Paul Martel Jr. said.

Lynda and Ed Robidas' 22-year-old son, Zack, is working for the family business and is taking courses on heating and air conditioning in Manchester.

The Martels specialize in plumbing, heating and air conditioning installation as well as repair. There is a 24-hour plumbing service.

The family does business as far away as Nashua and Bangor, Maine, but focus on the New Hampshire and Southern Maine Seacoast.

© 2003 Geo. J. Foster Company