The Waukesha County Business Alliance has named DUECO Inc. the 2012 Business of the Year.
DUECO Inc.
N4 W22610 Bluemound Road, Waukesha
Industry: Utility truck manufacturing
Employees: About 300
DUECO is a final-stage manufacturer of equipment for the utility and related industries. If you’ve seen a We Energies utility truck, chances are you’ve seen the work of DUECO. Wisconsin Energy Corp. buys its utility trucks exclusively from the company.
But that is not where DUECO’s reach ends. As the largest final-stage manufacturer of Terex Utilities bucket trucks and digger derricks in the nation, and a manufacturer and distributor of their own line of truck bodies, DUECO products reach utility companies and other industries across a 15 state region.
The lift trucks are used by power companies and other contractors who use them for everything from regular infrastructure maintenance, to telecommunications jobs, to clearing vegetation after a storm.
“Essentially, we build trucks for the utility industry,” said DUECO president Judie Taylor. “But we also offer parts and service support and training, and auxiliary products that augment the truck. We are very niche focused.”
That niche has served the company well for more than five decades.
Taylor’s grandfather, Clarence “Pete” Dalum, started DUECO in 1955, making the family-owned business a third generation company. Taylor came on as president after her father retired a few years ago. Her brother and sister serve as vice presidents in the organization.
DUECO’s success is due in part to their commitment to building long-lasting partnerships with clients. In addition to providing customers with their best products, the company lives by their mission statement: “Lifting your expectations. Building your trust.”
DUECO representatives adhere to the “sunset rule,” (calling customers back before days end) and connecting customers to “real people,” for questions rather than relying on frustrating automated voice systems.
In 1967, the company expanded its services when it created a sister company, the Utility Equipment Leasing Corp., or UELC, to serve customers in need of truck leasing and rentals.
Though business has been relatively flat over the past few years, the company’s acquisitions helped sustain the firm during tough economic times. In 2011, DUECO distributed 600 trucks.
“We try to give our customers the best cost and value,” Taylor said. “We don’t take that for granted.”
Taylor is confident the economy is on an uptick.
“We’re definitely affected by economic conditions,” Taylor said. “Things have been up and down over the past few years. But, we’re always looking for growth.”
In addition to finding new ways to grow business the company is committed to ensuring growth in the community. DUECO employees partake in various charitable causes including fundraising efforts for the United Way, Al’s & Briggs Walk/Run for Children’s Hospital and Race for the Cure. The company also donated more than 110-lbs of food to the Waukesha County Food Pantry, last year.
As the economy begins to improve, Taylor said she hopes to provide more jobs to local residents.
“We don’t need to ship jobs overseas,” she said.
DUECO employs about 300 people. ◊
