Loffler Companies opens new location in Fargo

By Andrew Weeks

Loffler Companies, a Minneapolis-based company that provides integrated business technology and services across the Midwest, celebrated the grand opening of its new Fargo office in October.

President James Loffler said the company is excited to expand the Fargo market and looks forward to developing partnerships and growing the office team. To start, it will house about 30 employees.

The company is leasing the building, which Loffer said is a regional sales, service and distribution center. The company held a grand opening on Oct. 7.

Loffler said the opening of the new facility is a perfect way for the company to celebrate its 35th anniversary.

Jim and Darcy Loffler started the company in 1986, selling dictation equipment out of their garage. Fast forward to today, where Loffler said it has grown to be the largest privately-owned business technology company in the upper Midwest, providing technology solutions to organizations of all sizes.

In total, the company has 15 offices in six states — including Aberdeen and Sioux Falls, S.D. — and more than 500 employees.

Its offerings include IT services, data and network security, cloud solutions, unified communications, business security systems, copiers and printers, managed print services, document management and workflow software, and onsite people-based services.

Loffler, who works out of company headquarters in Minneapolis, said he expects to grow the Fargo team as regional demand and sales grow.

“Fargo is one of our core focuses for 2021 and 2022 from a strategic standpoint as we expand to new markets,” he said. “We’re excited about the market. We’ve made some acquisitions in the market, we’ve invested in the new headquarters. We think it’s a good market from a value alignment standpoint for a Midwest company with family values.

“If you read our mission statement, part of that is exceeding the expectations of our employees, our partners, our customers and our continued from page 27

Lorenson is primed to continue to give it her all, and recognizes the legacy work of her predecessor.

Newman, who will transition to his new role, started with the company in 1981 when it was still known as First National Bank North Dakota and has made his own mark at Alerus. He became president in 1987 and chief executive officer in 1995. Under his leadership, Alerus successfully navigated the flood of 1997 in Grand Forks, the Great Recession in 2008, and, more recently, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

He expanded the company outside of North Dakota and entered into new business lines of retirement, benefits and payroll services, which resulted in a long-term expansion that includes 24 acquisitions and the evolution of Alerus into a diversified financial services community. We’ve been very successful focusing on those things throughout the last 35 years, and we think it’s repeatable in Fargo. “We think part of that is, like Minnesota, there’s a great group of folks there that have a great value system and appreciate a company like Loffler that will provide them with a great experience. And that’s how we differentiate ourselves.” company. Among other awards during his career, Newman was a 2020 Prairie Business Leaders & Legacies recipient.

With Lorenson at the helm come January, however, Alerus will remain in good hands — in part because of her infectious personality and thoughtful ambitions, but also because of her proven track record of successful leadership.

She said she looks forward to her new role. Likewise, she is excited to be part of an organization that is bigger than herself and, as a vehicle to impact people and businesses, makes a difference in the communities it serves.

“I am truly humbled to have this opportunity to lead our team,” she said. “I spent my entire career in this male-dominated industry and it’s an honor to serve as an example for the younger women out there, just to show that if you do the right thing and work hard, anything is possible.”