MEMBER PROFILE - Schmeling Construction Co.

BUILDING SUCCESS FOR NEARLY 120 YEARS:

Schmeling Construction Co.

By Paul Anthony Arco

If you drive around Rockford and see many buildings like Northwest Bank Perryville, Edgewater Medical Center and LaMonica Beverages, chances are good that Schmeling Construction Co., has had a hand in building some aspect of them, whether it’s an addition, renovation or complete buildout.

Schmeling Construction specializes in commercial, healthcare, financial and food manufacturing industries — everything from preconstruction, construction management, design/build or bid/build services.

The company got its start by a German immigrant, Emil W. Schmeling, who settled in Rockford in the late 1800s and opened a carpentry shop in 1903. His first significant project was St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rockford. Nearly 20 years later, Emil divided his business among his five sons: William, Elmer, Walter, Albert and Robert.

“They basically started over,” said current president Steve Schmeling, who joined the family business in 1983. “That’s when my grandfather, Elmer, and my father, Roger, decided to take the construction part of the business solo and move to Madison Street.” Schmeling built a new facility in the 1980s on Harrison Avenue and has been there ever since.

Steve is the fourth generation Schmeling to lead the family-owned business, and five years ago he was joined by his son, Peter, who is a project manager/safety director. “I grew up watching construction,” Peter said. “I would spend weekends driving equipment in the yard and walking the job sites with my dad.”

Steve likens working with Peter to when he worked with his own father. “It really came down to respect,” he said. “We didn’t always agree, but I respected his experience and his ability to make the right decision. You have to let the young people do their thing. During my dad’s time, if you didn’t work 16- hour days, you weren’t working. But now it’s a results-oriented business and, so far, we’ve made it through five generations.”

Long-Term Client Relationships

Last year, 100 percent of Schmeling Construction projects were negotiated with previous clients, thanks to strong relationships they’ve built within the community. “My father was always involved in the chamber, which got him introduced to a lot of industrialists in Rockford in the 80s and 90s,” said Steve, who is also a believer in giving back — he’s been involved not only with the chamber but charitable organizations including Goldie Floberg and the Community Foundation, while Peter is board president for the Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity.

Since the 1970s, much of Schmeling’s work centers on healthcare, including all Rockford hospitals, Rockford Pain Center and Rochelle Community Hospital. “Things change so quickly in healthcare,” said Steve. “We have remodeled areas several times because the functionality of that space changes. It could be replacing doors and frames, painting or new flooring or a complete renovation.”

Schmeling Construction averages about 20 employees, ranging from office personnel to superintendents who work on site. “I can’t imagine what we’d do without our talented team,” said Peter. “Quality is our top priority.”

It’s been a long journey, but Steve wouldn’t have it any other way. “We could have operated in many other locations, but Rockford has a lot to offer families and businesses. You get what you put into a city, and we’ve been greatly rewarded by working and living in Rockford.”

Elmer Schmeling passed away in 1970 and Roger Schmeling died in 2015. But they would be proud of the work that continues under the family name. “It’s about being respectful of the community and doing the right thing,” Steve said. “They engrained into us that integrity and honesty is more important than being the biggest contractor in town.”

SCHMELING CONSTRUCTION CO. - President: Steve Schmeling 315 Harrison Ave. 815-399-7800 www.schmelingconstruction.com