Address: 1669 S. First St., Milwaukee, WI 53204
Website: www.buttersfetting.com
Year founded: 1924
Product or service offered: Mechanical contracting and engineering services and installation in commercial, institutional and industrial industries. Services include plumbing, HVAC, temperature controls, electrical and fire protection. Fabrication and manufacturing services are also available.
Projected 2012 revenue: $50 million.
President: Edward Tonn Jr.
Other key leadership: David Ahler, vice president; Denis Dugan, vice president; Sandra Molenda, secretary-treasure.
Target clientele: Commercial, institutional and industrial
Business organization memberships: Mechanical Contractors of America, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association; Mechanical Contractors of Wisconsin; Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors of Southeastern Wisconsin Milwaukee Chapter; Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin American Facilities Engineers, Building Owners Management Association, ASHRAE, NFPA
What has fueled your company’s growth? “Being aggressive in sales and expanding our market to new areas both in Wisconsin and out-of-state. Improving our productivity with tools, equipment and training to be more competitive in the marketplace.”
What is the biggest obstacle to your company’s growth? “Continuing price increases in material, escalating union labor costs, primarily due to rising costs of benefits, such as health and pensions, increased competition which includes more firms vying for a smaller market and residential contractors moving into commercial work.”
Do you plan any changes in your company in the upcoming months? “In keeping with our strategy of staying aggressive, we are always looking to expand our markets as opportunities become available.”
What is the outlook for the business conditions of your industry over the next several months? “Outlook will continue to be somewhat slow, but despite challenges, we’ll look beyond our local area to maintain our growth.”
What is your company’s key strategy for rising out of the recession? “Our key strategy is to maintain aggressiveness in the marketplace by continuing to look beyond our local area to find work and by being open to expanding the services that we offer.”
