SCOOP

(February 14, 2006)

Endres Manufacturing Company Recognized at International Convention

(Cancun, Mexico) - JANUARY 20 - A project by Endres Manufacturing Co., of Waunakee, WI, was recognized as a one of the best steel building projects in North America at the Eleventh Annual Convention of the Steel Plus Network LLC.

Endres Manufacturing Company received the award for the work on Epic Systems Corporation, a leading software manufacturer for the health care industry. The headquarters are located in Verona, Wisconsin, and the project consists of several buildings and a large parking structure. The project started in 2003 and, to date, Endres has fabricated the steel structure of six buildings. The combined total tonnage is over 1,760 tons of steel. Endres has supplied structural steel as well as steel stairs and guardrails for the project.

The job was extremely complicated and full of challenges. Endres had to work very closely with the contractor J.H. Findorff & Son, Inc. to have this project go smoothly. Endres was required to have 100% of their steel inspected by an outside contractor to verify quality. While at first Endres considered this to be a huge disadvantage and a hindrance, the fabricators responded very positively and even said they enjoyed the challenge and every one of them believed they learned a lot from the experience. In receiving the award, Ken Ballweg, President of Endres Manufacturing, said, “This award is really a testament to the determination and teamwork demonstrated by all the employees at Endres.” The project also inspired Endres to become an AISC certified fabricator, the most difficult certification for a steel fabricator to attain.

Endres Manufacturing Co. is a family business that is celebrating 80 years in business this year. With 50 employees, Endres produces steel for buildings all around Southern Wisconsin. Endres has been a member of the Steel Plus Network since 1995 (the longest standing US-based member of the network), and the network has honored Endres Manufacturing before with the Fabricator of the Year Award in 1998. The Steel Plus Network LLC is a business network bringing together the most dynamic North American fabricators and suppliers of structural steel.