Surviving 85 Years and Counting

A Butters-Fetting Success Story

It comes as no surprise when you sit down with Ed Tonn, President of Butters-Fetting that he loves what he does. The passion needed to make a business in today's economy last is undoubtedly high, but to make the company last for over 85 years is quite impressive. Butters-Fetting is a mechanical contractor on the south side of Milwaukee, employing over 150 people both in the field and in management.

"The fire and passion is still there," said Tonn when asked what he liked most about his job. "Figuring out how to make a project work and then delivering upon what we promise, is what keeps us going."

Tonn began working at Butters-Fetting back in 1960, when his father bought in as a third partner. He would sweep the shop and do whatever his father — who eventually became the sole owner of the company — asked him to do. Through his early years, Tonn also drove a truck, worked in the field and performed various jobs throughout the company. After all, it was his father's own passion for the business that led Tonn to becoming President of the company.

"I always knew this is what I wanted to do," said Tonn. "From the time my father became part of Butters-Fetting, I wanted to be exactly where I am today."

Butters-Fetting is considered to be a family business, and all of Tonn's children have worked or continue to work at the company. Tonn's sister, Sandra Molenda, Corporate Secretary at Butters-Fetting, has worked the past 30 years to make the company operate as efficiently and effectively as possible. Tonn is grateful that family is involved to continue the successes of the company his father once owned.

A testament to the continued success of Butters-Fetting can be seen in the comments from Randy Stark, Director of Facilities at West Bend Mutual Insurance Company, upon completion of their $75 million expansion. "For several years, Butters-Fetting has been our mechanical contractor of choice. The success of our recent construction project has even further solidified this relationship."

One can understand why companies like West Bend Mutual and Miller Brewing maintain a strong relationship with Butters-Fetting. One of the reasons is many of the management team have worked in the field, which allows Butters-Fetting employees to understand each other well. The work they perform as a cohesive team commands respect, and keeps their customers loyal.

Another reason is that Butters-Fetting proudly stands behind the idea of labor and management collaboration. Without the trust between labor and management the company wouldn't be as strong. "We are all on the same side, and we need to keep strong working relationships in order to keep our customers coming back," Tonn said.

Tonn also believes strongly in what the union training programs have done for his business and for the local economy. "We have an incredible talent pool to draw from," added Tonn. "The union apprenticeship program allows us to continue delivering what our customers have come to expect on projects." Butters-Fetting also maintains close ties with all the local unions — Steamfitters, Plumbers, Sheet Metal Workers, Sprinklerfitters and Electrical Workers — represented through their business.

Kevin LaMere, Business Manager of Steamfitters Local 601, has a close relationship with Tonn both professionally and personally. "Butters-Fetting is a committed partner to our union, and we do our part to make sure they are getting the quantity and quality of skilled technicians needed to keep their business moving forward."

Along with maintaining relationships with the unions and customers, the attention to detail, quality and safety of the work they perform are what Tonn believes will allow Butters-Fetting to weather the current economic storm — that along with their forward-thinking moves to diversify their workload. Without having the foresight to continue refining their work and going after new customers, the passion would be lost. After all, that passion is what makes Butters-Fetting successful.

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