heart of our economy, representing the best of our country’s innovation, philanthropy and free enterprise systems. These family businesses employ the vast majority of our country’s work force and creation of new jobs. They also consistently emphasize the importance of family or core values in their operations, looking for ways to retain their work “families” through the best and worst of times.
Rabe Environmental Systems, which marks its 100th year of operation in 2016, is the quintessential example of these values and family business success. The company, headquartered at 2300 West 23rd Street in Erie, and its team of 130 employees are synonymous with quality when it comes to the design, installation and service of heating, air conditioning, piping, plumbing and energy management systems for industrial, commercial and institutional applications.
Rabe Environmental Systems has grown from a small plumbing contractor, founded by Christian Rabe in 1916, to a major player and industry leading mechanical contractor and professional construction company. Since 1954, Rabe’s success has been tied to a member of the Patrizia family — first, by the late patriarch Anthony Patrizia, and then, his son and present Chairman of the Board Richard Patrizia, and now, his grandson and current president, Mark Patrizia.
“I’ve said to our employees, this really isn’t a job but a part of our family legacy,” explains Mark Patrizia, as the third generation to head Rabe Environmental Systems. “I’ve taken on a lot of responsibility to show that third generation owners can succeed.”
Indeed, Rabe has beaten the odds when it comes to the continuity and viability of family businesses. Statistics show only 30 percent of these companies pass the reins to the next generation, even though close to 70 percent would like to keep their business in the family. By the third generation, statistics show only 12 percent of family businesses in the United States are still viable.
Read more in the August 2016 Edition of the Business Magazine.
