CUSTOMER| A SALUTE TO AN CUSTOMER |
BURSCHVILLE CONSTRUCTION, INC.
|
"We Are Family" is a good way to sum up the operating philosophy at Burschville Construction, Inc., a utility contracting firm located in Hanover, Minnesota. "I think small family businesses are really strong businesses," stated Karla Schendel, Burschville Construction's vice president and wife of the company's co-founder, President Jim Schendel. "It's not like our people are our employees - it's like they're our family." "We treat them like family," agreed Jim. "We go the extra mile for them if they go the extra mile for us." Jim, his parents, R.S. "Bud" and Ruth Schendel, and Jim's brother, Dallas Schendel, started Burschville Construction in 1976. Dallas left the company after 10 years, in 1994, the same year Jim purchased his parents’ share in the company.
Two generations lead Hanover-based
Burschville Construction today. They include(left to right) Karla Schendel,
Jim Schendel, Rick Schendel and Cindy Johnson.
|
"They basically retired," said Jim. "Since then, my wife Karla, my two children and I have run the business." Third generation grew up in business The third generation of Schendels at Burschville Construction today includes Rick Schendel, who is vice president, and Cindy Johnson, Secretary/Treasurer. Both Rick and Cindy grew up in the business. "I spent many hours riding in the truck with my father," remembered Rick, who joined the company in 1991. "I was even allowed to help once in a while. Running a machine for five minutes was the highlight of my day." Rick worked as a laborer in the field for a year, then ran his own crew until 1999. "That spring I moved into the office, where I help with estimating and supervising the three crews we have," he said. Cindy Johnson joined the company in 1994 after she graduated from St. Cloud State with a bachelor's degree in business. "Grandpa and Grandma retired in April and I started in May," said Cindy. Other family members involved in the business today include Jim's brother, Bill Schendel, a foreman for Burschville, and a nephew, Justin Schendel. "Justin is Dallas' son," noted Jim. Rick's wife, Tara, helps out in the office. Key, longtime employees Some of the key employees at Burschville Construction include Foremen Jerry Binsfeld and Jeff Vogt, Operator Tom Krampitz, Mechanic John Titterington and Secretary Shirley Sheets. Burschville Construction, Inc. employs 25 people during the peak construction season and five or six in the winter months. |
