Currently, approximately 3% of American plumbers are women. Here in Western New York, that number is much lower.
TONAWANDA, N.Y. — In a mostly male-dominated field, a woman in Western New York is growing her Lloyd's plumbing business. We are currently celebrating over 50 years since our founding.
It's rare for a woman to lead a plumbing company, but Marcia Drendorff has held the position at Lloyd's Plumbing for more than 50 years.
Marcia's husband, Roy, started the business in 1973. Ten years later, Roy died of a severe heart attack, leaving her company with huge losses.
Drendorff took over the company, but there was only one way for it to survive. She needed to get her master plumber license.
“I took the City of Buffalo Master Plumber exam and passed with flying colors. At the time, I was told I was the first female Master Plumber in the state outside of New York City,” Drendorf said.
Currently, approximately 3% of American plumbers are women. Here in Western New York, that number is much lower.
Over the years, Drendorf's two children and four grandchildren, including one who is also a woman, have become active in the company, making it what it is today.
“I would like to say to anyone thinking of entering this field that you can make a very good living in this industry, and I would like to say to young people who are going to school that if you can, it is as good as getting into university. “I would encourage them to consider participating in a trade program, like, 'That's not where they want to be,'” Drendorff said.
More than 50 years later, Roy's Plumbing is still in business. Drendorf said he's also always looking for ways to give back to the community.
For the past decade, the company has focused on community philanthropy. Drendorf said for every lawn sign donated, the company will donate his $5 to a local charity.
So far, they have been able to give back to over 44 different charities in Western New York, including the newly formed Firefighter Arno Memorial Foundation.
