For many people, 2023 is just another year, but for Vernon business S.P. Seymour, it marks 130 years of service.
The family business is named after founder Sidney Percy Seymour. Now it’s run by fifth-generation family member Pat Seymour.
Pat has been the owner since 1990 but has worked in the plumbing business for 43 years. He started when he was 15.
“I started cleaning up the shop and learning how to use the sheet metal equipment,” Pat said.
Pat said that S.P. Seymour has endured time because customers love family businesses.
“There’s nostalgia about multi-generational companies that have been around a long time,” he said. “It’s not very common anymore.”
“As far as I know, we’re the oldest, small mom-and-pop plumbing and heating shop in Western Canada.”
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Pat’s ancestor first came to Canada in 1890, where he met a Scottish man named John Ross. Both men had been trained as plumbers in the U.K. and three years later, S.P. Seymour was born.
As it’s a family business Pat’s son and nephew, are also involved in working as plumbers.
“So they will be likely taking over,” he said.
Pat appreciates all of the support from the community and wants to continue to impress his customers.
“So we try to do right by our customers and we’re professional people,” he said.