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April 14, 2025
KRONENWETTER – Just months after Van Ert Electric celebrated its 60th year in business, the company kicked off year 61 with a move into a new corporate space in the Village of Kronenwetter.
Though the move to 100 Paper Place took place in January, the company only recently had a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce.
“We’re really excited about this new corporate office – it’s a big step forward for Van Ert Electric,” Executive Vice President Michael Van Ert said. “It gives us the space we need to work more efficiently, communicate better and support our field team and customers in new ways. It’s about setting ourselves up for long-term success and making sure we keep growing the right way.”
Van Ert CEO Bob Van Ert said as the team looks to the future, he can’t help but reflect on the company’s evolution.
“The success we’ve achieved is not only thanks to my father, Melvin, who laid the foundation, but also to the dedication and hard work of our employees,” he said. “Their commitment is what truly fueled our growth, and it’s what will continue to drive us forward. As we transition to third-generation leadership, we’re excited to build on this legacy of excellence.”
According to its website (vanert.com), Van Ert specializes in complex, nationwide projects – including power plants, hospitals, industrial facilities, airports and renewable energy.
The website also states that a majority of Van Ert’s clients are repeat customers.
Additional industries Van Ert works with include:
- Paper and fiber
- Ethanol and biofuels
- Food and plastics
- Engineering
- Arc flash evaluation
- Thermal imaging
- Water and wastewater
Per the website, Van Ert was founded in 1964 in Rudolph, expanded into Wausau in 1970, added a controls division in 1978, a telecom division in 1993 and multiple locations across Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
“My dad took a tremendous risk when he decided to start a company, all while raising nine children,” Anne Van Ert, the IT director and one of the 10 Van Ert children who still work for the company, said. “His hard work and vision turned it into something we never imagined. It’s incredible to see how far we’ve come.”
HR Director Angela Oleson said recent acquisitions have included B&B Electrical Contractors (Iron Mountain, Michigan) in 2022 and Leasa Electric (Fond du Lac) in 2024.
“The acquisition of Leasa Electric has been very successful,” Oleson said. “The team has been wonderful to collaborate with, and we’ve already expanded our customer base by adding clients from its original network.”
More on the new space
Michael said Van Ert Electric recently added operations in the Village of Kronenwetter due to the rapid growth of the company as a whole.
He said the company’s expansion continues as it outgrew its Fond du Lac and Slinger locations, prompting the purchase of a larger facility in Fond du Lac.
With more than 800 employees, Michael said Van Ert operates in multiple regions, including Wausau, Kaukauna, Eau Claire, Green Bay, Oshkosh, Fond Du Lac, Slinger, Milwaukee, Madison, Janesville and Iron Mountain.
“As the company grew, the corporate employees were finding it difficult to focus on overarching company goals while being spread across various branch locations,” he said. “The new space provides team members with spaces to work together, addressing the space constraints that existed in the previous Wausau location.”
Michael said the new two-story facility in Kronenwetter was renovated to suit the company’s needs.
“It was the former Mosinee Papers building, and the renovation preserved some of the building’s original features, such as glass-walled offices and crown molding,” he said. “Additionally, its location – conveniently off Interstate 39 – enhances accessibility.”
Michael also said there is additional space within the building available for rent, which has been promoted through local interest, including a visit from the Wausau Chamber of Commerce.
“Discussions to find a new corporate space had been ongoing for more than a couple of years before this move was finalized,” Michael said.
How it operates
In addition to the new corporate headquarters, Oleson said Van Ert maintains shop areas at each of its divisional locations where tools, equipment and materials are stored and prepared for job sites.
She said the company also operates a manufacturing and prefabrication facility in Little Chute (located in Northeast Wisconsin), which helps improve job site efficiency and safety.
“Prefabrication in a controlled environment allows for higher volume production and saves time compared to assembling components at the job site,” she said.
Though Van Ert’s primary service areas are in Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Oleson said the company does travel for projects.
“Our reputation for quality work has led to several traveling electricians following customers out of state to continue providing services,” she said.
Future growth
Bob said Van Ert’s growth is closely tied to its ability to meet customer needs.
“Company leadership continued to expand the business into new types of advanced technology projects, including data centers, utility solar, battery storage and other power generation technologies,” he said. “Today, the company continues to focus on being a comprehensive service provider, listening to customer needs and growing in areas where it can best serve its clients.”
Anne said she’s “incredibly proud” of what Van Ert has become over the past six decades.
“I’m incredibly proud to be part of a family company that’s come so far, growing from its humble beginnings to the success we’re seeing today,” she said.
