Bemrich 40th

FORT DODGE, IA ESTABLISHED 1984

In the beginning...

On April 1st 1984, Jim and Pat Bemrich made one of the hardest choices of their lives. This is the day they started Bemrich Electrical Service. They ran the office out of the spare bedroom at their home and used the homes garage for a warehouse and had an old 1972 ford pickup. They had 3 grown children and 2 still at home. With hard work and patience, they were able to build their business to a point where they could hire help and continue to grow. They were joined by their son Greg Bemrich in 1987 and he expanded the business by including telephone systems. Jamie Bemrich joined the company in 1989 as an apprentice. Jim and Pat decided to make another jump and purchased the building at 110 So. 21st.

Matt Bemrich joined the family business in the 90’s as an apprentice. Jim Bemrich passed away in 1996 and Pat Bemrich retired in 2000. Bemrich Electric and Telephone has been proud and very happy to service many customers and families here in Fort Dodge and throughout the region.

With our well-trained and hardworking team of electricians, technicians and apprentices we will continue to grow and service our customers and their growth for a very long time.

Jim and Pat Bemrich

By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net

Bemrich Electric has been Connected to the Community For 40 years,

A new graduate from a radio and television repair program named Jim Bemrich applied for a job at Woodman Appliances in downtown Fort Dodge in the mid-1950s. He got hired, but not to fix TVs and radios. A related business, Woodman Electric, needed electricians and he was promptly enrolled in an electrician apprentice program.

Electrical work became the Bemrich family business.

In 1984, Jim Bemrich struck out on his own, establishing Bemrich Electric.

That company, now led by his grandson, Matt Bemrich, and one of Jim Bemrich’s sons, Jamie Bemrich, is now celebrating 40 years in business.

In that time, the company’s electricians have worked on gypsum plants, ethanol plants, hospitals, new stores, new office buildings and houses.

A couple generations of Bemrichs have worked on the

Greg Bemrich got the courthouse clock working in the 1990s, after it had been out of service for a number of years.

And during the most recent courthouse renovation, Anthony Bemrich installed the new system that runs the clock.

“I like figuring out things that don’t work and then making them work,” said Jamie Bemrich, the vice president of the company.

Company President Matt Bemrich added “I like building things that are going to be there a long time.”

But the enjoyment of building and repairing electrical systems is far from the only things that keep them motivated.

Asked what the most rewarding part of the job is, Matt Bemrich immediately replied “The people working in it.”

“There’s a real camaraderie among that skilled labor,” he said. “You build some pretty good friendships.”

Jamie Bemrich said there is a team feeling among the 33 employees.

Both said the company and its employees feel a deep connection to their community.

Jamie Bemrich said the company has wired homes built for Habitat for Humanity and bedrooms renovated by My Happy Haven. He said the company has sponsored youth sports teams and its employees have volunteered as coaches.

“We like to give back to our community,” Matt Bemrich said. “We’ve definitely not been shy about saying where we’re from.”

Added Jamie Bemrich, “We would like to say a heartfelt Thanks to our customers, friends, coworkers and family for our success, and especially a big thanks to Mom and Dad for their hard work and sacrifice.” “We wouldn’t be in business this long if we didn’t treat people well.”

1. What is your title or position with the company?

General Forman

2. How long have you been with the company? 13 years

3. How did you first get involved with the company?

Martin Porrez

I started with Bemrich Electric in my 3rd year of my apprenticeship and graduated from the Iowa Electrical Apprenticeship in Des Moines. I successfully tested for my journeyman license in 2014. I furthered my licensing in 2021 by earning my Masters.

4. What is the most rewarding part of your work?

I’m thankful for the opportunity to lead my fellow coworkers and I enjoy teaching and learning along the way. I would have to say the best feeling I have experienced since being at Bemrich and being a foreman is that when a past customer needs something else done for them- they want you.

The Fire Department arrived about 1:00 a.m. the building was almost fully ingulfed.

June 13th, 2013

Before

Q A&A

1. What is your title or position with the company?

Manager

2. How long have you been with the company? 24 years

3. How did you first get involved with the company?

I was previously employed for a few years with an electrical wholesale supply company here in Fort Dodge. At the wholesale company, I’d wait on Greg and Jamie Bemrich as well as their father Jim Bemrich. When Jim would come into the wholesale house to place an order, he actually took the time to teach me a little about the electrical parts and their use for the different electrical job types.

A couple of years later, I heard there was a job opening at Bemrich’s and I applied. I was hired in 2000.

4. What is the most rewarding part of your work?

Over the years the most rewarding part of my job is getting to know our customers and other contractors, business owners, and vendors in and around our community. There are many people involved in serving our customers. Getting to know and building relationships with the electricians, data technicians, and staff has been like family to me. Being a small part of the company and watching the company grow over the years is very rewarding. Also, I enjoy it when one job comes to a close and another job opens.

1. What is your title or position with the company?

General Forman

2. How long have you been with the company?

17 years

3. How did you first get involved with the company?

I met Matt at O’Goodies Irish pub small talk led to an interview with him and Greg the following day. They hired me and after my daughter was born I went to work for Bemrich the second week in June 2007.

4. What is the most rewarding part of your work?

The most rewarding part of my Job is working with my coworkers and helping the customers, giving them a professional electrical install.

1. What is your title or position with the company?

HR/Accounting/Payroll Administrator/Safety

2. How long have you been with the company? 10 years in November

3. How did you first get involved with the company?

I had worked for Bemrich’s CPA firm, processing payroll and payroll filings for multiple companies. For seven years, I came to the Bemrich office to process their weekly payroll and everything that’s involved with payroll filings. One day, I came in and Jamie had left an application on my desk. They had been without a bookkeeper for several weeks, and the workload of scheduling, bookkeeping and taking care of calls and walk-in visitors was far too much for Bob to handle on his own. Having worked for the guys for so long already, it was a smooth transition.

4. What is the most rewarding part of your work?

I really like helping everyone. I like being able to answer questions for the guys or lead them in the right direction. I like brainstorming with Matt and Bob about projects. I love the hectic, busy work pace that wearing so many hats requires.

1. What is your title or position with the company?

General Forman

2. How long have you been with the company?

19 years

3. How did you first get involved with the company?

Tyler Nowell

I first got involved with Bemrich after being laid off from my first electrical contractor as a first-year apprentice. I went back and forth for a couple years with other contractors. But have been with Bemrich since 2005.

4. What is the most rewarding part of your work? The most rewarding part of my job is teaching the apprentices and watching them turn into journeyman. It can be frustrating at times but helping the future electricians is my favorite part of the job.

Josh Boehler

Bob Ayala

Theresa Collier

Experience in the trade

Anthony Bemrich

Ethan Yetmar

Jackson Bemrich

Brock Fleming

Glen Roest Jr.

Jake Thoma

Carter Nekvinda

Greg Bemrich

Jason Scherff

Duane Anthofer

Greg Nordstrom

Josh Boehler

Shop Dogs, Nora & Joey

Greg Bemrich

Experience in the trade

Justin Spencer

Nick Wolfe

Steve Workman

Keenan Cook

Patrick Sullivan

Terry Glass

Martin Porrez

Bob Ayala

Theresa Collier

Matt Bemrich

Ryan Thode

Todd Alachniewicz

Experience in the trade

Tyler Nowell

Jake McKnight

Tom Howard

Bryon Fleming

Jamie Bemrich

Carter Steck

Max Potratz

Hawkins Bell

Ted Scoggins

www.fortdodgecpas.com | 714 14th Ave., N., Fort Dodge lwcornwell@frontiernet.net | crfrideres@frontiernet.net jjmaher@frontiernet.net

Services we provide

BEMRICH ELECTRICAL AND TELEPHONE

Founded in 1984, Bemrich Electric and Telephone has been providing the Fort Dodge area with quality service for more than 40 years. We are dedicated to providing the services that our customers require. Because of that dedication our team members are constantly being trained on new technology and changes in our industry. Our electricians serve a five year apprenticeship after which they take a State of Iowa Electrical Journeyman Electrician exam. A State of Iowa electrical license is required for an electrician to work in all phases of our industry.

Some of the services provided by Bemrich Electric and Telephone:

• Industrial, Commercial and Residential Electrical Service

• Computer Network Design & Installation

• Telephone System Sales and Service

• Certified Network Cable Design, Installation and Service

• Fiber Optic System Design, Installation, Splicing and Service

• Access Control and CCTV Installation

ELECTRICAL WORK

With today’s technologies, systems are becoming more complex and integrated. We at Bemrich Electric have the knowledge, experience and commitment to provide quality installations and service.

Industrial services we offer include: Motor Control, Switch Gear and Transformers, Power Distribution, Conduit and Cable Tray Installation, Lighting, Maintenance Contracts, Plant Equipment Relocation, Grounding Systems, Lighting Protection, Automation and Controls, Access Control and CCTV, Project Management.

Services available for Commercial customers:

Design Build, Lighting Design, Lighting Retrofits, Parking Lot Lighting, Energy Management, Temporary Power, Electrical Utilities and Trenching, Power Distribution, LED and Energy Efficient Lighting, and Generator and UPS Installation, EV Charging Stations.

Residential New Construction and Remodels work we provide:

Design Build, Multi-Family Housing, New Homes, Electrical Service Upgrades, Lighting Design, Ceiling Fans, Telephone and Cable TV Installation, Home Network, Appliance Outlets, Lighting Controls.

Martin Porrez and Nick Wolfe

Father & Son, Bryon and Brock Fleming

Steve Workman

1. What is your title or position with the company?

Network Engineer/IT Specialist

2. How long have you been with the company?

21 years

3. How did you first get involved with the company?

Matt Lundberg was the previous IT Specialist. He would help me out a lot when my previous employers’ company. He finished all his studies and went into Law Enforcement, opening up the position at Bemrich.

4. What is the most rewarding part of your work?

I get to play superman and save the day for customers that are not able to figure things out on their own.

TELEPHONE SERVICES

Specializing in home and business communications, our commitment is to provid full phone and network system solutions customized to fit your personal and business needs and your budget.

With a strong blend of communications and electrical expertise on staff, we are uniquely positioned to offer individualized, cost-effective phone and network systems that work for you. Even if we did not install your equipment we still offer service on most telephone systems.

Our systems have all the features that a business needs and wants, like automated attendant and voice mail to IP phones and mobile extensions to ring your cell phone form your office lines.

We are dedicated to creating long-term relationships with our clients by setting the highest standard of quality and service in the industry. So whether your communications needs are residential or global, count on Bemrich Electric and Telephone to provide professional, reliable and affordable solutions.

NETWORK AND FIBER OPTIC DESIGN

No matter the size or nature of your business, you need communication that is fast, reliable and keeps you connected to clients, colleagues and the world at large.

But insuring that your network operates efficiently takes more than just buying the right cable.

At Bemrich Electric and Telephone, we have the tools and know-how to ensure that your cable systems are configured correctly and optimized to provide maximum efficiency. Our team includes a BICSI certified RCDD and BICSI certified technicians. We also have on our team a network technician certified to install and maintain the complete computer network from the server to the desk top.

We’ll come to your business and help you with every facet of designing, installing and configuring a network system. Once your new system is complete, we’ll even help with maintaining and administrating your new network.

NETWORK AND VIDEO CABLING SYSTEMS

6 wiring and installation

Fiber optic cabling installation and splicing

LAN installation

Full office phone and telecom network cabling

CERTIFIED AND WARRANTY SOLUTIONS BY SEVERAL MANUFACTURERS

Panduit

Ortronics, AMP, Leviton and Beldon

NETWORK SERVICES

Server installation and maintenance

Computer installation and maintenance

Wireless networks

Computer repair

Virus removal

FIBER OPTICS

Installation

Testing

Splicing

Certified Technicians

All Bemrich Electric and Telephone technicians are highly trained, experienced and fully licensed and insured.

Todd Alachniewicz

Greg & Sue Bemrich

Jackson, Michelle & Matt Bemrich

Anthony, Kristi & Jamie Bemrich

Kristi & Jamie Bemrich

Michelle & Matt Bemrich

The Crew