AZCO2 The Midwest has always been a hotbed of activity for the manufacturing industry. With all of the necessary environmental and geographic ingredients such as accessible rivers and lakes, plentiful forests, and rich soil, products that range from wheat to automobiles, textiles to airplane parts have all come out of the region for hundreds of years.AZCO23 34 Written by Stacey McCarthy In 2010, the Midwest accounted for 30 percent of total U.S. manufacturing, while the regional manufacturing work-force represented 10 percent of the region’s total employ-ment – a higher percentage than any other region. And one of the most notable manufacturers to come out of the Midwest is AZCO Inc., an national industrial and fabrication contractor located in Appleton, Wisconsin. AZCO was initially formed by four individuals, one of whom was the late F. John Barlow – a reputed prolific and colorful figure in Appleton. At the time of its inception in 1949, AZCO was primar-ily focused on the industrial piping industry. HEARTLAND BUSINESS SYSTEMSHeartland Business Systems (www.hbs.net), is a single source for consulting, design, solutions, and delivery. Our belief is every organization deserves access to the same level of resources, innovation and technological expertise. For over 25 years, HBS has been supporting companies, schools, hospitals and government agencies of all sizes with all levels of need for technol-ogy improvements. With 140+ employed engi-neers, HBS provides the depth of technical talent required to meet all your technology goals.5 6 The name “AZCO” was chosen because the company wanted to be able to provide services to their customers that ranged from “A” to “Z”. In 1953 the team began to expand their focus to metal fabrication after securing a large industrial ventilation project, and their story and services grew from there. With new services also came expanding facilities and new locations.After more than 30 successful years in operation, in 1985 AZCO purchased Hennes Erecting Company, which was an established machinery moving, millwright, and crane services company in Milwaukee. In 1998, Barlow decided to retire so he could focus on his mineral collection and philanthropic work. His shares were bought and distributed amongst the employ-ees of the company, and as a result, by 2005, AZCO became a 100 percent ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) company.It was at this point that AZCO’s focus shifted to the industrial and power plant energy market. After collaborating for over 20 years on many successful projects in the power sector with Burns & McDonnell, a leading Kansas City-based engineering and architecture firm, AZCO was 6acquired by them in 2016. The company’s industry-leading con-struction and pipe fabrication capabilities were a natural fit for the 120-year-old company’s multi-billion dollar construction arm, and the acquisition resulted in the creation of one of the most comprehensive environmental, engineering, procurement, and direct-hire construction and fabrication companies in the world.By joining Burns & McDonnell, AZCO also became part of a family of companies that is made up of more than 5,300 engi-neers, architects, construction professionals, scientists, consul-tants and entrepreneurs with offices across the country and throughout the world. Both organizations are also 100 percent employee-owned, and plan to remain that way.Today, AZCO is known as one of the top full-service indus-trial contractors and metal fabricators in the country. Its work encompasses the power, alternative energy, petrochemical, “AZCO is known as one of the top full-service industrial contractors and metal fabricators in the country.”8 “The company prides itself on the quality of its workmanship and the safety of its employees.” industrial manufacturing and metal fabrication sectors, and its sales total more than $300 million annually. The company employs over 250 individuals in its Appleton head-quarters in Wisconsin, its additional offices in Wisconsin and Colorado, and its three fabrication facilities. The team also works with more than 750 international trade union craftsmen nationally. In addition to being known for its exceptional craftsmanship in construction, AZCO operates a 90,000 square foot fabrication center that produces carbon steel, stainless, chrome-moly, and exotic alloy pipe and metal fabrication. It has also constructed, fabricated and provided mechanical contracting for some of the most iconic landmarks across the Fox Cities, such as the Kimberly Clark Corporation.Current President and CEO John Trottier’s specialized leader-ship has always ensured that his team stays focused on being an integral part of the community. The company prides itself on the quality of its workmanship and the safety of its employ-ees. In fact, part of its mission is to be dedicated to zero injuries, and the business has won numerous safety awards, including from the Association of Union Contractors. In June of 2017, the company reached a significant safety milestone by achiev-ing one million hours worked with no recordable incidents – which are an injury that results in death, days away from work, restricted work or transferred to another job, medical treat-ment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness.“Like so many manufacturing and construction companies across the U.S., AZCO is faced with the challenge of finding skilled labor.”Next >