Hydraulic doors swing out from building for canopy effect

Also, Mike has seen a shift over the years in the need for larger doors. Lark mentioned that, specifically in agriculture, equipment is getting larger and larger, so doors that can accommodate such large equipment are necessary. “You can never go too big,” Lark said, quoting her father. “And that’s not a pitch for us! For farmers especially, equipment is growing.”

Because each door is custom-built, the possibilities are endless for design. From retrofit to new construction, if you can imagine it, Schweiss will build it. Each door design is submitted to an external, third-party engineer to ensure quality and safety.

Customers will choose either bi-fold or hydraulic doors for various reasons. Lark said some folks prefer the one-piece construction of the hydraulic door for the clean exterior look or because it allows a sort of extension of a shop area. When open, the hydraulic door will swing out, providing an extra shaded area and possible extended shop area. Others prefer a bi-fold door for spatial reasons. The bi-fold doors lift up as opposed to hydraulic doors, which swing out. In addition, the slope of a bi-fold door, when open, allows for rain and snow to run off, which is beneficial for climates prone to both types of weather.

Mike laughed as he explained how the business has changed in the last 40-plus years. He said at first, they used mail and fax machines.

Now, everything is housed in a database. Mike also said that material moves faster now. For example, a door can be completed within five weeks upon order. They have also ventured into writing their installation manuals, which Mike said Lark is very good at.

When asked about retirement, Mike laughed and said that word is not in his vocabulary. “I am still learning, and I’m not bored!” he said. With Lark on board in an evolving marketing position, they hope to become more well-known.

Mike looks forward to the challenge of expanding the uses for bi-fold and hydraulic doors and their presence in the marketplace. “It’s a big market, and we can’t reach everyone,” he said. But they are going to try!

Interested folks can find more information on Schweiss Doors on the web at www.bifold.com and www.schweisshydraulicdoors.com. They can also be found on Facebook and Instagram, or contact Lark directly at lark@bifold.com v