New Berlin office companies merge
By Steve Jagler, SBT Executive Editor
Integrated Office Solutions Inc. and Schroeder Installation Systems Inc. have merged into one company, Schroeder Solutions Inc.
With the merger, the two New Berlin firms not only can move customers to new office spaces, but they can design or redesign those office spaces.
The two companies have shared 45,000 square feet of office, warehouse and showroom space in a plant on West Lincoln Avenue in New Berlin.
Scott Gierhahn, who had been a principal at Integrated Office Solutions, has been named the president and chief executive officer of Schroeder Solutions Inc.
The other members of the combined firm’s management team include vice president Mark Harder, secretary John Schroeder and treasurer Mike Schnell.
John and Jim Schroeder own shares of the merged company, as well as shares in the firm’s sister companies, Leicht’s Relocation Inc., Green Bay; Schroeder Moving Systems Inc. of Appleton; and Schroeder Moving Systems Inc. of New Berlin.
The two companies that were recently merged were formed in 1999.
"We consult with and help clients manage their facilities and the impact their facilities have on their bottom line," Gierhahn said.
"We want to make it easier for companies to do business with us. Our clients said, ‘Why don’t you just combine the companies?’ As one company, we’ve eliminated a lot of redundancy," he said.
The two companies that merged combined for revenues of $6.1 million in 2002, and Gierhahn projects 25% growth in sales in 2003.
Much of Schroeder Solutions Inc.’s growth will come from providing its services to the health care industry and the government sector, Gierhahn said.
"Standing alone, each company is good. Combined, I think we’re awesome," he said.
Schroeder Solutions provides custom, high-end amenities, including: raised floors that accommodate computer cabling and heating and cooling systems; "demountable" office walls that can be moved when a client’s space demands change; sound-masking equipment that provides humming "white noise" to allow privacy within work spaces in an office; and recycled carpeting with custom designs.
The company’s client list has included Doral Dental USA, Cobalt Corp., Northwestern Mutual Life Co., Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc., Kohl’s Corp., Briggs & Stratton Corp. and Metavante Corp.
Schroeder also helps smaller businesses with their moving and office space design needs.
