A longtime Shawano business has a new owner and new name.
Radtke Electric Service changed hands Sept. 6 when Bill Radtke sold the business to Mike Reuter, a 42-year employee who will operate the firm as Radtke-Reuter Electric LLC.
Three generations of the Radtke family had operated the business over the last 75 years. Bill Radtke worked at and owned the business for 55 of those years.
“I asked my kids a while ago, and they said none of them wanted to work that hard,” Radtke said. “There is a time to step aside to allow a longtime employee who has established himself as a leader in modern technology to advance the business climate.”
Reuter is a master electrician, as are employees Anthony Heck, who has worked there for 30 years, and Neil Luisier, who has been there for 28 years. Office manager Linda Heck has been with the firm for 21 years.
“We’re going to try to keep everything going the same way it has been going,” Reuter said. “It’s exciting looking forward to it.”
With the economy improving, Reuter wants to pick up more jobs, maintain the company’s quality work and maybe add two more employees.
Radtke-Reuter Electric LLC offers industrial and commercial wiring, data communications and residential service.
“We have a steeped history of basic wiring, but in recent years have established a presence in industrial high tech development of programmable logic control and frequency drives for motor control,” Radtke said. “These are some of the reasons why it’s good to have Mike step in.”
Radtke will have to get used to a new routine, although he will still be around to take care of some things that he previously didn’t have time to do.
“There are a lot of loose ends that there never is time to complete or small items to repair which will occupy a great deal of my time now,” Radtke said. “That‘s one of the joys of transitioning with Mike in control is that I’ve been able to continue stopping in and continuing relationships with customers and vendors, albeit at a different level of involvement.”
Radtke will also be taking time to “smell the roses.”
“Immediate plans for next year are to repair or replace the deer hunting cabin that was damaged by a tornado three years ago,” Radtke said.
For now, Radtke is adjusting to the new routine of not having a routine, working on the “loose ends” and doing what he can to help Reuter.
“Because of a history of quality workmanship, the people of Shawano County have allowed the company to exist for these many years and many years to come,” Radtke said. “I would like to thank the loyal, longtime customers who have been with me.”
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