150 Years of Service to the Community
Hutzel Plumbing & Heating Company, Inc., of Ann Arbor has earned many distinctions over the past 150 years. As the oldest continuously operating plumbing company in the State of Michigan, and the third-oldest continuously operating business in Ann Arbor, Hutzel’s has been honored by both the Historical Society of Michigan and the Ann Arbor Historic District Commission. This outstanding record of service and contribution to the growth and vitality of our State didn’t come about by chance.
It began May 1, 1857 when German immigrant August Frederick Hutzel established Hutzel and Company, originally a 3-man operation offering a diverse inventory, at 14 S. Main Street (later to become 114 S. Main). Having arrived in Ann Arbor in 1839, August was a true pioneer of business and became well-known in the area when his store furnishing “groceries, paints, brushes, glass, mints and oils” (per an old advertisement) became a favorite gathering place for farmers and tradesmen alike.
Soon, sons Hermann and Titus joined their father as partners at Hutzel and Company. The younger son, Titus, learned the tinning and plumbing trades on his own before returning to Ann Arbor to join the family business in 1878. Ultimately, it was his vision of the future that gave new direction to the firm. As the demand for new amenities such as gas, electric lighting, central heating, and indoor plumbing expanded, Titus set up a plumbing shop in his father’s paint store to provide products and services to fill the needs. Claw-footed bathtubs, enameled lavatories, water closets, and installation of steam and hot water heating systems became their stock in trade. Throughout the 1880s, the Hutzel name became synonymous with progress. They continued to grow with the times through innovation and perseverance. They were known as shrewd, honest, “modern” businessmen who treated their customers and employees well and took an active part in the Ann Arbor community. This Hutzel tradition continues still today.
As a contractor to the privately held Ann Arbor Water Works Company, Hutzel’s laid many miles of cast iron water pipe along the city’s streets. They did similar work for other communities in Michigan, as well as in Streator and Elgin, Illinois. In 1889, Hermann and Titus bought their father, August Hutzel’s, interest in the company, and in 1915, another August Hutzel, the son of Titus, joined the firm as a partner. The Hutzel Plumbing and Heating Company continued to serve the growing Ann Arbor community by providing products and services for the stylish, still impressive homes that line Washtenaw Avenue and the Inglis mansion on Highland Road.
In 1919, the firm moved its headquarters to 119 East Washington near Fourth Avenue, in downtown Ann Arbor. 1953 saw the last Hutzel, August, retire from the firm. A new partnership including Clyde Jones, John Kagay, and Charles Andress (who merged his firm with Hutzel but retained the Hutzel name) took over. 
Through the years, several notable persons have been involved in ownership and management of the firm, including Lloyd Zill and Bill Romelhardt who bought into the firm in 1957. Hutzel’s continued to thrive and grow in Ann Arbor. In 1959 they moved to 2023 West Stadium Boulevard, and by 1964 needed to move once again, this time to their current home at 2311 South Industrial Highway. In 1966, Gene Cummins joined Lloyd and Bill as Secretary-Treasurer before eventually becoming principal owner.
In 1986, Hutzel’s acquired the Gallup Heating & Air Conditioning Division of Gallup-Silkworth Inc., retaining Gallup’s employees, equipment and products. This allowed them to expand and strengthen their market share in the plumbing, heating and air conditioning business in southeastern Michigan.
Over time, Hutzel Company has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being recognized at the Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractor Association’s 100th Anniversary for being the State’s Oldest Plumbing Company. This was both an honor and a distinction for the Hutzel name.
When Gene Cummins passed away in 1997, the Company was taken over by his wife Bettie and their children, Linda, Scott and Scott’s wife Nancy, who today are the principal owners and operators of this historic company.
In keeping with the pace set by the original Hutzel family, Hutzel Company continues to keep up with the changing times, offering products and services most in demand. They have not, however, abandoned the customers who contributed to their growth and stability throughout the years. Hutzel Company’s large, well-trained, all-union staff of licensed plumbers provides round-the-clock service for homeowners and businesses alike.
Each job, large or small, residential or commercial, remodeling or new installation, receives prompt, careful, professional attention. After all, Hutzel Plumbing & Heating Company, Inc. expects to be around for another 150 years.
Plumbing
& Heating
Company,
Inc., of
Ann Arbor
has
earned
many
distinctions over the past 150 years. As the
oldest continuously operating plumbing company
in the State of Michigan, and the third-oldest
continuously operating business in Ann Arbor,
Hutzel’s has been honored by both the Historical
Society of Michigan and the Ann Arbor Historic
District Commission. This outstanding record of
service and contribution to the growth and vitality
of our State didn’t come about by chance.
It began May 1, 1857 when German immigrant
August Frederick Hutzel established Hutzel and
Company, originally a 3-man operation offering a
diverse inventory, at 14 S. Main Street (later to
become 114 S. Main). Having arrived in Ann
Arbor in 1839, August was a true pioneer of
business and became well-known in the area
when his store furnishing “groceries, paints,
brushes, glass, mints and oils” (per an old
advertisement) became a favorite gathering
place for farmers and tradesmen alike.
Soon, sons Hermann and Titus joined their father
as partners at Hutzel and Company.
The younger son, Titus, learned the tinning and
plumbing trades on his own before returning to
Ann Arbor to join the family business in 1878.
Ultimately, it was his vision of the future that gave
new direction to the firm. As the demand for new
amenities such as gas, electric lighting, central
heating, and indoor plumbing expanded, Titus
set up a plumbing shop in his father’s paint store
to provide products and services to fill the needs.
Claw-footed bathtubs, enameled lavatories,
water closets, and installation of steam and hot
water heating systems became their stock in
trade.
Throughout
the 1880s, the
Hutzel name
became
synonymous
with progress.
They
continued to
grow with the
times through
innovation and perseverance. They were known
as shrewd, honest, “modern” businessmen who
treated their customers and employees well and
took an active part in the Ann Arbor community.
This Hutzel tradition continues still today.
As a contractor to the privately held Ann Arbor
Water Works Company, Hutzel’s laid many miles
of cast iron water pipe along the city’s streets.
They did similar work for other communities in
Michigan, as well as in Streator and Elgin, Illinois.
In 1889, Hermann and Titus bought their father,
August Hutzel’s, interest in the company, and in
1915,
another
August
Hutzel,
the son
of Titus,
joined
the firm
as a
partner.
The
Hutzel
Plumbing and Heating Company continued to
serve the growing Ann Arbor community by
providing products and services for the stylish,
still impressive homes that line Washtenaw
Avenue and the Inglis mansion on Highland
Road.
In 1919, the firm moved its headquarters to 119
East Washington near Fourth Avenue, in
downtown Ann Arbor. 1953 saw the last Hutzel,
August, retire from the firm. A new partnership
including Clyde Jones, John Kagay, and Charles
Andress (who merged his firm with Hutzel but
retained the Hutzel name) took over.
Through the
years,
several
notable
persons
have been
involved in
ownership and management of the firm, including
Lloyd Zill and Bill Romelhardt who bought into
the firm in 1957. Hutzel’s continued to thrive and
grow in Ann Arbor. In 1959 they moved to 2023
West Stadium Boulevard, and by 1964 needed to
move once again, this time to their current home
at 2311 South Industrial Highway. In 1966, Gene
Cummins joined Lloyd and Bill as Secretary-
Treasurer before eventually becoming principal
owner.
In 1986, Hutzel’s acquired the Gallup Heating &
Air Conditioning Division of Gallup-Silkworth Inc.,
retaining Gallup’s employees, equipment and
products. This allowed them to expand and
strengthen their market share in the plumbing,
heating and air conditioning business in
southeastern Michigan.
Over time, Hutzel Company has received
numerous awards
and recognitions,
including being
recognized at the
Michigan Plumbing
& Mechanical
Contractor
Association’s 100th
Anniversary for
being the State’s
Oldest Plumbing
Company. This
was both an honor and a distinction for the
Hutzel name.
When Gene Cummins passed away in 1997, the
Company was taken over by his wife Bettie and
their children, Linda, Scott and Scott’s wife
Nancy, who today are the principal owners and
operators of this historic company.
In keeping with the pace set by the original
Hutzel family, Hutzel Company continues to keep
up with the changing times, offering products and
services most in demand. They have not,
however, abandoned the customers who
contributed to their growth and stability
throughout the years. Hutzel Company’s large,
well-trained, all-union staff of licensed plumbers
provides round-the-clock service for homeowners
and businesses alike.
Each job, large or small,
residential or commercial,
remodeling or new
installation, receives
prompt, careful,
professional attention.
After all, Hutzel Plumbing &
Heating Company, Inc.
expects to be around for
another 150 years.