Uihlein, Techteriors form Partnership
The Business Journal of Milwaukee
by Megan Hupp
When John DeToro, owner and principal of Techteriors LLC in Mequon, saw a presentation last year on the goals of Uihlein Electric Co. Inc., DeToro knew the two companies would make good partners.
“On the slides were the same values and approaches of our company,” DeToro said. “I thought I was reading our presentation.”
Uihlein Electric, Brookfield, and Techteriors were expected to announce Aug. 8 that the two companies have developed a partnership. While the move is not a merger, the partnership will bring together a total of 200 employees and a 2008 sales forecast upward of $35 million. The partnership won’t change the management structure at either company, but a co-branded logo has been developed for use on joint projects.
Techteriors specializes in residential audio/video and control systems. Uihlein does more commercial electrical work. The companies will each retain their specialties while dipping into the other’s projects, said Cory Owen, director of facilities services-technology solutions for Uihlein Electric.
“It’s important to have our own, individual companies with customers we can service,” Owen said. “From the partnership, we’re trying to take on additional work while retaining specialty work.”
Discussions of a partnership have occurred for more than a year. DeToro said he saw an opportunity to expand Techteriors beyond the residential market. Techteriors, which started in 2001, has traditionally worked on new home construction projects. But with fewer homes being built, DeToro said he thought now was a good time to expand the reach of Techteriors into the commercial market.
“We’re still going to do residential, but we’re always looking to grow our business and for new opportunities,” DeToro said. “Our message is not that we’re getting rid of resources that are duplicated. We’ll be two strong, individual companies.”
Owen said the partnership allows Uihlein Electric, which was founded in 1911, to add to the systems it offers.
“It’s a way to offer more services to the customer,” he said.
Taken from the Business Journal Serving Greater Milwaukee: http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/08/11/story19.html
