In 1948, Wehrs Electric came to be by being in the right place at the right time. Edward Wehrs was in a local business in West Salem where he lived and owned a few small businesses. A frustrated man walked in and asked if anybody wanted to buy his electrical company from him. Since Ed had already graduated from Coyne Electrical School in Chicago and had done electrical maintenance for 2 different companies, he decided to make the purchase. The electric company he bought consisted of a van filled with a few tools and some parts.
The family business timeline:
- 1948 – Ed along with his wife, Lill, started Wehrs Electric.
- 1956 – Ed’s son Ron joined him, after his discharge from the NAVY, for a partnership. They started doing commercial and industrial wiring. With an office in their home, Ron’s wife Shirley helped with some of the bookkeeping.
- 1968 – Ed retired.
- 1978 – Ron’s son Bruce joined the business while starting the electrical apprenticeship program.
- 1980 – Wehrs Electric became a corporation.
- 1992 – Bruce’s wife Judy joined the business doing some of the bookkeeping.
- 1993 – Ron passed away from cancer.
- 1994 – Bruce and his wife Judy bought Wehrs Electric from Shirley. While Bruce was busy running the jobs in the field, Judy began computerizing the business.
- 2003 – Dustin began working summers alongside his dad while attending college. After graduating from Minnesota State University – Mankato with a Bachelor’s degree in construction management and a minor in business administration, he decided to join the business. He then completed the 5 year electrical apprenticeship program.
- 2005 – Derek began working summers alongside his dad while attending college. After graduating from Minnesota State University – Mankato with a Bachelor’s degree in corporate finance and a minor in accounting, he also decided to join the business. He then completed the 5 year electrical apprentice program.
As you can see, Wehrs Electric, Inc. is truly a family owned and operated business. Currently, Bruce, Dustin, and Derek all run the day to day operations including job site management, service work, blueprint take-off, material ordering, and billing. Judy takes care of the financial end of the business.
We also have a great group of licensed journeymen electricians that have been with us for many years. Since we are union, we also have the ability to hire IBEW Local 14 electricians when more help is needed.