At Rohde Brothers, Inc., we believe in honoring the dedication and hard work of our long-standing employees. On June 25th, we hosted our first annual 20+ Years of Service Recognition Dinner to celebrate the exceptional contributions of ten remarkable team members. This special event was held at Avenue 795, a beautiful venue in Fond du Lac, WI, where we gathered to express our gratitude for their unwavering commitment and service.

Honoring Our Loyal Team Members

The evening was filled with heartfelt speeches, delicious food, and a sense of camaraderie. We were proud to recognize the following employees for their 20+ years of dedication to Rohde Brothers, Inc.:

 

• Scott Mulder
• Brian Bowe
• Jason Kicherer
• Todd Puchalla
• Chad Wood
• Chad Schumacher
• Tim Lamb
• Ed Dickrell
• Heath Meyer
• Craig Lefeber
• Mike Rohde

Each of these individuals has played a vital role in our company’s growth and success. Their expertise and commitment have helped us provide top-notch services throughout the last 20 plus years.

A Night to Remember

The event kicked off with a warm welcome from our President, Mike Rohde, who spoke light heartedly about the achievements of our honorees. The atmosphere at Avenue 795 was perfect for this momentous occasion, offering a sophisticated yet relaxed setting for the evening’s festivities.

Attendees enjoyed a gourmet dinner featuring a variety of delectable dishes, allowing everyone to indulge and celebrate the victories the team achieved.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on the past and celebrate these incredible milestones, we also look forward to the future. At Rohde Brothers, Inc., we are committed to fostering an environment where dedication is recognized, and hard work is rewarded. We understand that our success is built on the foundation laid by our employees, and we are excited to continue this tradition of recognition for years to come.

Let’s Build Something Together

This event underscored our company’s core values of collaboration and appreciation. As we move forward, we invite all our clients and partners to join us in building a brighter, more successful future together.

Plymouth, WI, June 24, 2024 – Rohde Brothers, Inc. is thrilled to announce the successful hiring of several Youth Apprentices from our recent “Hiring Day” event. This initiative, in partnership with organizations like CESA 6 and CESA 7, underscores the commitment that Rohde Brothers, Inc. shares to provide excellent job opportunities for young individuals, allowing them to earn while they learn. This also fuels a philosophy that embeds growing from within into the culture at Rohde Brothers, Inc.

Youth Apprentices at Rohde Brothers, Inc. are high school juniors and seniors who gain hands-on experience while earning school credit and a paycheck. They are required to work a minimum of 450 hours between June and May, balancing their educational and professional responsibilities effectively.

At Rohde Brothers, Inc., we believe in investing in the future of our workforce,” said Mike Rohde, President of Rohde Brothers, Inc. “Our partnerships with local educational organizations like CESA 6 and CESA 7 enable us to provide young people with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed in the trades. We are proud to be a starting point for so many skilled tradesmen.

 

We are pleased to introduce our current Youth Apprentices:

• Gunnar Larson, Howards Grove High School: Welding in the Shop
• Grayson Schamberger, Plymouth High School: Controls
• Max Trepanier, Plymouth High School: Welding GWSM
• Gage Bimmel, Oostburg High School: Construction and Welding in the Shop
• Zander Lulloff, Elkhart Lake High School: HVAC, Plumbing, and Welding

 

“Kaise(CESA 6) and Dana(CESA 7) have done an exceptional job mentoring these young talents,” added Claudia Krepsky, HR Manager at Rohde Brothers, Inc. “Their dedication to guiding and supporting our apprentices is a testament to our company’s commitment to nurturing future tradesmen.”

Rohde Brothers, Inc. is extremely valued among local educators as a premier place for aspiring tradesmen to begin their careers. Our dedication to hiring and training employees fosters a culture of growth and development, leading to an impressive 95% promotion-from-within rate. This approach not only benefits our employees but also strengthens our company by retaining experienced and knowledgeable professionals.

“We’re excited to welcome our new Youth Apprentices and watch them grow within our company,” added Claudia Krepsky.  “Our commitment to promoting from within creates a supportive environment where employees can advance their careers and contribute to the success of our projects.”

Rohde Brothers, Inc. specializes in Process Piping, HVAC, Metal Fabrication, Industrial Controls, and Geothermal Systems for energy savings. Our extensive engineering expertise and comprehensive project capabilities ensure that we deliver cost-effective and efficient solutions to our commercial and industrial clients.

About Rohde Brothers, Inc. Rohde Brothers, Inc. is a leading provider of process piping, HVAC, metal fabrication, industrial controls, and geothermal systems. With a strong focus on technical expertise and collaboration, we are dedicated to building lasting relationships with our clients and partners. Our extensive engineering expertise and comprehensive project capabilities ensure that we deliver cost-effective and efficient solutions to our industrial and commercial clients.

For more information, please contact: Claudia Krepsky
Title: Human Resources Manager

Email: Krepskyc@rohdebros.com

PLYMOUTH, WI, UNITED STATES, May 6, 2024   — ** Highlights **

Expanded Fabrication Shop: New 11,000 sq foot facility to enhance production capabilities. Increasing the total shop space to 37,000 Sq ft.

Advanced Lifting Power: Introduction of 40-ton lift capacity with four (4) hooks for increased fabrication and loading capabilities.

Industry-Leading Innovation: Rohde Brothers continues to set benchmarks in the metal fabrication industry.

Rohde Brothers, Inc., a leader in mechanical contracting, is excited to unveil a comprehensive expansion of their fabrication shop, now boasting a state-of-the-art 11,000 square foot addition. This strategic enhancement not only augments the company’s production capacity with advanced 40-ton cranes but also pioneers’ sustainability with the integration of a cutting-edge geothermal heating and cooling system. This horizontal system field type is poised to revolutionize energy efficiency at the site, potentially reducing heating and cooling costs by up to 40%. The new facility also boasts an equipment test cell, a dedicated stainless steel fabrication area complete with laser welding capability which is known to produce superior welds that improve corrosion resistance in harsh environments, and full LED high bay lighting for superior visibility.

Innovative Energy Solutions for Sustainable Operations

At the heart of this expansion is Rohde Brothers’ commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency. The newly installed geothermal system leverages the stable temperatures beneath the Earth’s surface, providing an eco-friendly solution for heating and cooling the expanded facility. This initiative underscores the company’s dedication to innovative energy use and operational efficiency, setting a new standard for industrial facilities.

Furthermore, the expansion includes an advanced snow melt system, seamlessly integrated with the geothermal heating to ensure safety and operational continuity during winter months. This system significantly mitigates the impact of snow and ice on the parking area adjacent to the new shop, reducing the use of salt and snow plowing which reduces CO2 emissions. An ice bank system was installed to enhance energy efficiency for cooling the new shop expansion as well.

A Transformative Phase for Industrial Fabrication with Enhanced Sustainability

With this expansion, Rohde Brothers’ facility now encompasses 37,000 square feet of space, marking a significant leap in industrial fabrication capabilities. The addition is designed not only to accommodate larger and more complex projects but also to do so in an environmentally responsible manner.

Key Enhancements of the Expansion:

• Expanded Capacity with Sustainable Design: The 11,000 square foot addition offers increased space for large-scale projects, incorporating a geothermal system for sustainable heating and cooling.

• Enhanced Lifting Power and Energy Efficiency: The facility’s new cranes improve load handling.

• The geothermal system and snow melt system introduce groundbreaking energy efficiency and safety features.

• State-of-the-Art Infrastructure for Superior Production and Environmental Stewardship: The modernized setup ensures top-tier production quality, rapid turnaround times, and reduced environmental impact.

“Our latest expansion is a testament to Rohde Brothers’ innovation, not just in scaling our operations but in leading the way towards a more sustainable and efficient future by utilizing geothermal as a heat storage device.” said Mike Rohde, President of Rohde Brothers, Inc. “By integrating a geothermal system, ice bank, and a snow melt system, we’re setting new benchmarks for environmental responsibility in the industrial sector.”

Redefining Industrial Capabilities with a Commitment to Sustainability

This holistic expansion reflects Rohde Brothers’ dedication to excellence, innovation, and sustainability. The new facility, crane capabilities, and energy-efficient systems collectively redefine what is possible in the realm of industrial fabrication, offering clients unparalleled service while minimizing environmental impact.

Special Thanks

Rohde Brothers, Inc. would also like to thank its partners in this construction project, A.C.E. Building Services, KW Electric, and Excel Engineering for their help in planning and construction of the new space.

Discover how Rohde Brothers’ forward-thinking expansion can benefit your projects. For more information, visit Rohdebros.com or contact Craig Bahr at (920)893-5905.

We appreciate and are so proud of the amazing women who’ve played an important role in building our company for over 110 years. Meet two of these amazing women.

Amanda Hintz has been with Rohde Brothers, Inc. for 6-1/2 years and in the construction industry for nine years. Amanda said “she likes working with her hands and has always wanted to work with her hands.” She also admitted that she enjoys not having to get dressed-up to go to work. As a service technician she’s integral to keeping all of our customer’s equipment running smoothly.

 

Melody Norris has been in the construction industry for 2-1/2 years. She thought she would be a carpenter out of high school having been influenced by her grandfather who was a welder for Ford Motor Company. She ended up working as a chef for 14 years, but found construction was a better means to support her three children.

 

Rohde Brothers Inc. recently completed an ambitious project for Lakeside Foods in Manitowoc, installing the refrigeration and HVAC systems for a new 138,000 square foot stand-alone freezer that operates at -10°F. This project was a showcase of precision, speed, and advanced technology.

The Challenge: With a highly aggressive construction schedule, there was no room for error or delays. The complexity of the mechanical systems within the building demanded meticulous coordination and innovation.

Praise from Industry Partners: Michael Bartelt, project manager for Bartelt Insulation Supply, commended Rohde Brothers for our outstanding communication, safety, and timeliness, noting our professionalism and ethical work practices as key factors in our long-term success.

Innovative Solutions:

1. 3D Building Information and Shop Prefabrication: We maximized the use of 3D modeling and prefabrication to reduce on-site manpower needs, accelerate project delivery, and ensure seamless integration of all mechanical, plumbing, and electrical components.
2. Advanced Control System: An Allen-Bradley programmable logic control system was used to monitor and control the entire operation, ensuring safety and energy efficiency.
3. Shop Fabrication: We fabricated essential system components, including ductwork, piping, and control panels, in our shop for quality assurance and to maintain project momentum.
4. Strategic Subassembly Construction: Building large subassemblies off-site ensured we could keep up with the project’s demanding schedule.

Key Installations:

• Three 305 horsepower, 123-ton ammonia refrigeration compressors.
• Four penthouse evaporators in the freezer area.
• Two evaporative coolers in the dock area.
• A 7 million BTU/hour evaporative condensing unit.
• A 48-inch diameter, 195-inch tall high-pressure receiver.
• Shell and tube economizer.
• Comprehensive refrigerant pumps, heat exchangers, and accessories.
• Condenser water pumps, tanks, and other essential accessories.
• 2000 feet of in-floor tubing below the freezer to prevent ground freezing.

Conclusion: The successful completion of the Lakeside Foods stand-alone freezer project is a testament to Rohde Brothers’ innovative approach and commitment to excellence. Our ability to combine cutting-edge technology with efficient project management resulted in a state-of-the-art facility that stands as a model in the food processing industry. If your project demands precision and efficiency, Rohde Brothers has the expertise to deliver.