Reaanddit Reap!
OCTOBER 4, 2019
THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS
THIS WEEK 'S ISSUE:
$2.00
VOL. 45 NO. 40
Schemmer aims to boost commercial and industrial projects by Richard D. Brown
Financial advising software drives Covisum to double-digit growth. – Page 2
l tia en tate d i s s Re eal E R
Pursuit of apartments, single-family homes, related developments remain brisk in metro. – Page 4
Schemmer, an Omaha-based full-service architectural and engineering firm with offices in a three state area and annual net revenues around $16.5 million, is seeking to strengthen its portfolio of private sector projects — work that currently accounts for about 40% of its billings. While strong opportunities in the public sector have provided the other 60% of earnings, President/ CEO Steve Kathol said the firm will more aggressively seek a variety of projects — especially with an increased number of assisted living projects being planned. Schemmer has about 120 employees, with 10 positions open, at present. About 70 work at the firm’s headquarters in 18,000 square feet on the third floor at 1044 N. 115th St. With crowded conditions, the field service staff has been moved to additional space on the 2nd floor. The company, which is owned by 23 of its principals, also has a 20-employee branch office at 134 S. 13th St., Suite 100, in Lincoln and a Continued on page 8.
From left EVP of Engineering Charly Huddleston, President and CEO Steve Kathol and EVP of Architecture Jason Heinze … Aiming to diversify with emphasis on private sector projects. (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville)
Midwest Laboratories positioning for exponential growth, new headquarters by Becky McCarville
Local hospitality professionals upbeat over keen convention, meetings, leisure travelers. – Page 10
During peak harvesting season, Midwest Laboratories runs 30,000 to 40,000 soil tests per day, up from 5,000 to 10,000 10 years ago, all in the same amount of space. The company sees about 1,000 samples a day from pet food companies across the country. And when the floods hit the area this past spring, it tested about 1,500 water samples in a two-week timeframe.
Analytical testing has not only increased in its core agriculture sector, but also in animal feed, pet food, environmental, food and beverage, and fuels. The scope of the client-driven growth has served as a catalyst for the company’s physical expansion that now spans 14 buildings, including the former SkateDaze building near 132nd B streets that will serve as its Continued on page 9. Business Development Manager Matt Hoeke, left, and President Marc Meyer … Organizations of diverse size gain access to increasingly cost-effective, sophisticated technologies to secure workplaces.
Inteconnex grows two-fold, puts emphasis on physical security by Michelle Leach
From left, Director of Lab Operations Matt Stukenholtz, CEO Brent Pohlman and Chief Scientific Officer Tim Penne … Multifaceted analytical testing for the likes of Costco’s Fremont chicken plant, national pet food companies and craft brewers.
In the last four years, Inteconnex has more than doubled its business and the Omaha office is tracking to double again in the next five years with a focus on physical security solutions that are customizable and accessible to businesses and institutions regardless of budget. “As technology prices decrease, the small- to medium-sized
companies can afford to put in systems like we put in, and to protect their employees first and their assets second,” said Business Development Manager Matt Hoeke. “We still support the larger, enterprise-class systems that are more costly. But we look for cost-effective ways to get good, high-tech systems installed in places that can’t afford the ‘CaContinued on page 11.