Hard working Italian-Americans have long been an integral part of the building of this great nation. Many of those who immigrated from Italy brought a skill or craft with them...and some fostered an entrepreneurial spirit that has served them for generations.

Aldo and Robert Campellone started ABC Piping Company in 1970, just a few short years after they immigrated from Italy. It was their second business together - the first being a landscaping company. Aldo learned pipe fitting in Germany while Robert learned mechanical basics in an automotive class - one that he traveled to on two buses.

While slowly and carefully expanding their piping business over the years, Aldo and Robert realized the need for an office and shop. Since they could not find or afford a suitable building, they built their own. This led to the construction of several more buildings and to the founding of another company called Summit Buildings LLC. The company has thousands of square feet of offices and warehouses with 25 leasers.

Today they have over 50 employees including a second generation now working with them including Aldo’s sons, Adam and Dino, and Robert’s daughters, Laura and Christina.

Robert and Aldo are very proud of their Italian heritage and support the Italian American community in many ways. In 2008, Robert wrote "Rionero to Cleveland: 100 Years of Immigration", to permanently record and share some of the oral stories of his grandparents and others from the community. The Campellones also help new Italian immigrants get a start by employing them in their businesses. Many of these immigrants have gone on to start their own businesses in Cleveland. The Campellones are active members of the Rionero Sannitico Club and the Home Family Club and founding members of Club Molisani and the NOIA Foundation.

The Campellones and ABC Piping Company will be honored at the Italian American Heritage celebration at Cleveland City Hall on Monday, October 2nd. Join us as we celebrate with the Campellone brothers and their family...a true Italian American success story in Northeast Ohio.