Tony Mallinger
President and chief executive officer
Metal-Era Inc.
Waukesha
www.metalera.com
Employees: 104
After graduation, Tony Mallinger, didn’t have plans to enter the family business. He had plans to move away from Wisconsin and do his own thing.
He could have gone a lot of different directions with his accounting degree, but ultimately decided to stick with manufacturing.
“It’s really what I love,” he said.
Tony’s father, Gene Mallinger, had purchased Waukesha-based Metal-Era Inc. in 1988. The firm provides commercial roofing and roofing products for a wide variety of industries.
Tony was named controller of the company in 2001 and was later promoted to president. Under his leadership, the company has grown every year except one, he said.
Metal-Era was able to weather the storm and emerge even better after the recession. The company is projected to grow another 15 percent this year.
“Our ability to develop new markets and design new products is the reason for our success,” Mallinger said. “We sell in a lot of different channels, and are lucky to have secured relationships with several multi-facility owners.”
For 15 years, Metal-Era has worked with Target Corp., supplying all of its roofing needs. The company also works with brands such as Walmart, McDonald’s and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“The employees are our biggest asset,” Mallinger said. “We have some of the best employees around, and it shows in our success.”
Metal-Era recently purchased six acres near its current Waukesha facility and plans to add 35,000 square feet to its existing facility, he added.
