WDH, September 23, PAGE
14D
CYANMAGENTA YELLOWBLACK
MADE IN CENTRAL WISCONSIN
PHOTOS BY XAI KHA/GANNETT CENTRAL WISCONSIN
Rick Semling, right, is the owner and Dale Palecek is regional manager for Merrill-based Semco. Below: Semco’s Merrill headquarters.
Third generation makes windows in Merrill BY JOY MARQUARDT FOR GANNETT CENTRAL WISCONSIN
MERRILL — Quality wood windows and doors have been a trademark of the Semling-Menke Co. in Merrill for more than seven decades. Known as Semco Windows & Doors, the company was founded in 1941 by Emil Semling, former general manager of the Anson-Gilkey Co. A family operation, the company was passed down to son Jack Semling in 1971 and later acquired by grandsons Rick, Pat and Mike Semling, who remain the owners today. Semco has grown to include two assembly plants in Merrill, totaling more than 350,000 square feet of production space, where the company produces wood windows and doors for both residential and light commercial use. A wood-cutting operation in Salt Lake City, Utah, was purchased in 1967, and the Performance Industrial Coating plant in Farmington, Minn., was added in 1986 to handle the painting process. “We do standard and custom windows and doors for remodeling or new construction projects in residential and light commercial buildings,� said Dale Palecek, who has more than 40 years of experience in the window industry and has been with Semco for 28 years. “We cover a full range of applications.� Semco windows and doors are distributed in 28 states and are used in the construction of log homes and modular and manufactured homes as well as custombuilt structures. “The majority are in the Midwest, but we do go as far as the East and West coasts,� Palecek said. “We sell through a dealer network.� Product quality and ease of installation are what sets Semco windows and doors apart from the competition, according to Palecek. The company uses virgin timber such as ponderosa pine and Douglas
ABOUT SEMLING-MENKE CO., OR SEMCO Address: PO Box 378, Merrill Owners: Rick, Pat and Mike Semling Founded: 1941 Number of employees: 315 Products: Wood windows and patio doors How and where products are used: In new homes and remodeling projects across the country. Contact information: Call 715-536-9411, or toll-free 1-800-333-2206; or visit www. semcowindows.com.
FROM PARTS TO FURNITURE WE’VE BEEN HELPING COMPANIES GROW SINCE 1962 - Wausau Modern Machine, Inc.
fir, which still can be found in Western states. Semco employees are involved in all aspects of the manufacturing process, from selecting the wood to completing their own millwork. “Wood still has the best performance,� Palecek said. “I’m a strong believer in wood. It has the warmth and the energy efficiency.� With the downturn in the economy in recent years and the slump in the housing market, Palecek is optimistic that future growth in the industry is right around the corner. “The housing market has been in a little decline, but we are optimistic the recession is coming to an end,� he said. “We are hoping the industry continues to grow, and we will be ready for it when it does.�
ALPINE VILLAGE BUSINESS CENTER, ROME
Alpine Village Industrial Park
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â– ADVANTAGE PLUMBING & HEATING INC. Address: 291 Matterhorn Trail Owners: Eric and Pam Schmidt Service: Plumbing, heating and air conditioning, well and septic, indoor air quality; installation in new construction or remodeling and repairs. Staff members hold licenses as master plumber, pump installer, HVAC and building contractor and well driller. Contact: 715-423-1200 or 608-403-1710; fax 715-3252290; www.advantageplumb ingandheating.com â– ALPINE FOODS Address: 321 Highway 13 S. Owner: Jonathan Smith Service: Bulk cranberries and unique reduced-acid frozen cranberries for commercial bakers, juices and purees Employees: 15 Contact: 715-325-7140;
STEVE SITKO/GANNETT CENTRAL WISCONSIN
fax 715-325-7160; e-mail: sales@alpinefoods.net; www. alpinefoods.net and http://berrybits.com â– FIREPLACES EFFICIENT Address: 277 Geneva Trail Owners: Marv and Kathy Klawikowski Service: Fireplaces, pellet
stoves, stonework, Amish furniture, hardwood flooring, trim, kitchen cabinets, custom-made wood products Contact: Call 715-325-3333; fax 715-325-3337, e-mail: sales@fireplacesefficient. com; www.fireplacesefficient. com ■PRECISION INNOVATIONS INC. Address: 1169 Timberline Parkway Owner: Cherylanne Marx Plant manager: Steve Twiford Service: High-quality, custommachined parts in all types of plastics, aluminum, copper, brass, and other non-ferrous metals; point-of-purchase display products and silkscreening. Employees: 30 Contact: 715-325-6040; fax 715-325-6694; e-mail: estimating@p–inv.com; www.p–inv.com
Witmer Fu rniture - Ab botsford As a community bank, we believe in being a strong community partner. We’re committed to helping the business community of Central Wisconsin grow. Whether you are just starting out or looking for a better business partner, Peoples is here to help you. Decisions are made locally with the fast turnaround your business needs to succeed. Call today to learn more about why so many businesses across Central Wisconsin choose Peoples State Bank.
Norwood Industrial Park
â– PCO URETHANE Address: 2113 S. Nikolai Ave. Owner/manager: Michael Johnson Service: Custom urethane molding Employees: 40 full time, three part time Contact: 715-387-6303; fax 715-389-1926;
www.pcourethane.com â– BASIC STAINLESS INC. Address: 2001 S. Nikolai Ave. Owner/manager: Jim Young Service: Stainless steel distributor; raw materials Employees: 15 full time, four part time Contact: 715-384-9898; fax
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www.psbwi.com/business
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STEVE SITKO/GANNETT CENTRAL WISCONSIN
715-384-7852 â– WE ENERGIES Address: 3015 E. 22nd St. *Not open to the public Corporate contact: 800-2429137
715.842.2191 • www.psbwi.com 5001172165
NORWOOD INDUSTRIAL PARK, MARSHFIELD
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