Gem Plumbing & Heating (Lincoln, R.I.), was one of five companies honored with the 2004 Business Excellence Award by the Providence Business News, a weekly publication serving the Rhode Island business community. The wholesaler was founded in 1949 and has more than 300 employees. It distributes plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electric, drain, sewer, well and septic services in Rhode Island and southern New England. For more information, visit www.gemplumbing.com.