JESSICA HARPER LAURA ADELMANN T.W. BUDIG
Eagan pizzeria’s new owner hopes to turn it around 2A Local stores report sales even or up from last year 5A State deficits loom into the foreseeable future 7A
dakotacountytribune.biz dakotacountytribune.biz
DATE ##, 2009 DECEMBER 9, 2010
VOLUME 30, NUMBER # VOLUME 31, NUMBER 41
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INSIDE BIZ FORUM
Apple Valley-based Uponor NA looks to take advantage of new housing codes
Centuries of evolution pay off for manufacturer by Jessica Harper
The company dropped arms manuApple Valley’s Upfacturing by 1970 and onor is an ever-evolvdove into the radiant ing global enterprise floor heating market. that has been adapting This type of heating to changing market desystem differs from tramands for nearly 400 ditional forms of radiyears. ant heat in that tubes Most recently, the installed below or inNorth American diviside the floor radiate sion has been eying heat into the building. the growing sprinkler By 1984, Wirsbo market created by state had decided to intromandates that require duce its product across sprinkler systems in all the pond. new homes beginning Four years later, in 2011. Wirsbo opened a North So far, California American headquarters and Pennsylvania have in Lakeville and was been the only states to acquired by Uponor, a adopt the new code, but Finnish-owed radiant Photo submitted Minnesota has previ- Uponor, which has its North American headquarters in Apple Valley, has been adapting heat systems manufacously put it on the ta- to changing market demands for nearly 400 years. The manufacturer’s diversification has turer. ble. It continued to paid off in the last four decades as it managed to remain profitable through several reces“We believe this will sions. carry the Wirsbo name help Uponor and all until 2005, when the in the industry,� said company decided to reThe Swedish corporation has been meetJayson Drake, product manager for plumb- ing changing market demands like this for brand itself under one name – Uponor. ing and sprinkler systems at Uponor North hundreds of years. Much has changed since the merger 22 America. Uponor’s history begins long before the years ago. Currently, the company is working on United States declared independence from In 1990, Uponor’s North American headexpanding marketing efforts geared toward England. quarters moved to its present location in educating consumers on the changes, Drake Its roots are buried deep in Sweden, Apple Valley. said. Since then, the facility has undergone where it was founded in 1620 as Wirsbo Co., a steel and weapons maker for the several expansions, including construction Centuries of adaptation See Uponor, Page 40A king’s army. DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
No child should wake up on Christmas to nothing. Support Toys for Tots and other nonprof its this holiday season. 4A
JOHN KLINE FORUM
Extend your giving spirt all year. Be on the lookout for ways to support nonprof its beyond the holiday season. 4A
MARY AJAX
FINANCIAL SENSE
Hanging on to your old clunker can save you cash in the long run. You can drive toward more important goals. PETER MCCLELLAN 6A BUSINESS 101
Staying motivated can be tricky when you are a one-person business or work from home, but it’s not impossible. 39A
BOB VOSS
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