Home services company hosts 70th-anniversary celebration

Jun 5

Godwin Plumbing will mark its 70th anniversary with a two-day open house June 6–7 at its Grand Rapids location, 3703 Division Ave. S. The public is invited to stop by Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to enjoy in-store-only deals, enter prize drawings, and participate in parking lot games. Free food will be available on Saturday afternoon.

Founded in June 1955 by Marv “Red” Brummel and his wife, Louise, Godwin has grown from a small hardware store into a full-service home solutions provider serving the West Michigan region.

Brummel, a West Michigan native and military veteran, launched the business after selling his newly built home to purchase a hardware store from the VandenBerg family. He and Louise lived next to the store for 15 years, dedicating themselves to both the business and their growing family.

Known for his early mornings and strong work ethic, Red laid the foundation for Godwin’s future. His five children were often involved in the store, and many employees he mentored went on to launch their plumbing businesses. By 1977, Godwin employed more than 25 licensed plumbers.

After Brummel’s passing in 1987, ownership transferred to long-time employees, including his son-in-law, who preserved the company’s values and community-driven focus.

Godwin has continued to expand, adding heating and cooling services in the 1990s, a water treatment team, and a Kitchen and Bath Design Center in the 2000s. Today, the company employs nearly 200 people across its Grand Rapids and Ada locations.

“We’re often here more than we are at home, but this feels like our family, an extension of home,” said current owner Scott DeBoer, who has worked at the company for 28 years and is married to Brummel’s granddaughter, Katie.

West Michigan Newspop Digital Partners