Sun Prairie, Wis.-based Trachte Building Systems Inc., a manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings for the self-storage industry, is now employee owned thanks to the formation of an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP). The purchase includes the companys two subsidiary businesses, Trac-Rite Door, a manufacturer of steel roll-up doors, and Fire Facilities Inc., a provider of steel fire-training towers.
 
The transaction, completed on Aug. 29, bodes well for the company, its 220 employees and the community. The employee purchase of the company ensures Trachte will remain a leading employer in Sun Prairie, said Pam Klute, vice president of human resources. The overriding benefit of an employee stock-ownership program is it allows our employees to participate in the companys growth and success. Klute is also president of the ESOP Association - Wisconsin Chapter, which represents more than 1,400 member companies.
 
The officers and employees of Trachte are excited about what the future holds, said company President Jeff Seefeldt. This purchase allows us to manage and control our destiny. We plan to continue in our commitment to serve the self-storage industry with top-quality products and services as well as expand into categories where we can leverage our core manufacturing competencies.
 
Celebrating more than 105 years of manufacturing experience in the Madison, Wis., area, Trachte has been a member of the Sun Prairie Business Park since 1985. Its campus consists of two buildings with a total of 163,000 square feet, including all manufacturing and administrative functions. The company is now ISO 9001:2000 certified. For more information, call 800.356.5824; visit www.trachte.com.