Family-owned Guttenberg Industries marks 50th year anniversary

By Caroline Rosacker

2024 marks Guttenberg Industries' 50th year as a second-generation family-owned custom injection molder. They operate in a 105,000 sq. ft. manufacturing plant in Garnavillo producing complex, high-quality plastic parts for manufacturers all over the world using 38 highly automated injection molding machines. 

The public is invited to a 50-year celebration set for Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., rain or shine,  at the plant site located at 603 South Lincoln Street, Garnavillo. The celebration will include picnic foods and plant tours for everyone who is interested. Tours will showcase molding machines in operation, ultrasonic welding, industrial robots, and more.

John Ertl Visionary/founder

Guttenberg Industries visionary and founder, the late John Ertl, worked as a purchasing manager at his family's namesake, Ertl Toy Co., before branching off on his own in 1974. His desire was to build a successful business in a community he loved that could support his wife, Patricia, and children Deb, Jim, Tom and Bill, and provide stable employment opportunities for area residents, and his own family as they grew older and joined the workforce. He began with a strong work ethic, two used injection molding machines and two employees. John's business would eventually grow beyond his original expectations and the Herder Street location. 

Expanding to two locations

In 1995 a second manufacturing facility opened in Garnavillo and expanded several times while Guttenberg Industries operated both plants. Manufacturing would slowly transition to the Garnavillo location, while the Herder Street facility remained corporate headquarters and was used as a supplemental warehouse location. Operations eventually merged to the Garnavillo site in 2015, and Ertl would clear the Herder Street property to make way for Kwik Star that occupies the location today. 

A family business

John included each of his four children, Deb, Jim, Tom and Bill, in the business early on, putting them to work around the factory throughout their teen years, after school and during summer breaks. Through this experience, they got to learn important facets of the business during formative years, both the company and for themselves. After graduating high school and/or college, depending on the sibling, all four inevitably joined the family business, embarking on key roles. To this day, Deb and Bill manage the accounting department, Jim manages purchasing, and Tom manages Human Resources. 

In time, each of the four siblings essentially bought into ownership as well, holding shares of the privately held corporation, and along with their mother, Patricia, now Chairperson, serve on the corporate board of directors. As members of both the corporate board and the management team, all four of John's children remain key to the ongoing success of the company. 

In 2003, the board of directors elected Mr. Dave Kreul, then Vice President, as a non-stockholder director. Then, in 2009, the board appointed Mr. Kreul to the position of company President, which allowed John to more fully step away from day-to-day operation of the company, while maintaining his position as Board Chairman. When John passed away in January of this year, the board elected Patricia Ertl, the family matriarch, to become the new Board Chairperson. 

Leading employer

The injection molding company employs 100-140 people, and has introduced more than $10 million to the local economy through wages and benefits in 2023. They offer competitive wages and benefits, provide a clean, safe, air-conditioned work environment Monday - Friday with weekends off, and major holidays off with pay, and are poised for significant growth. 

People promoted from within fill more than 90 percent of the key supervisory and support positions. "We have a robust, hands-on training program aimed at helping everyone succeed," noted Guttenberg Industries President Dave Kreul. 

Eco-friendly

In 2023 alone, Guttenberg Industries diverted more than 156 tons of plastic from entering landfills through programs for re-use and recycling. "We do not produce any single use packaging items," Kreul pointed out. "Our customers are makers of long-use, consumer and durable goods, not throw-away, single use waste items." 

Energy efficient

Guttenberg Industries is relentless in their pursuit of energy efficiency, with a structured upgrade policy in favor of the most energy-efficient injection molding machines and robotics, LED lighting, and closed-loop water cooling systems to minimize water waste. Material handling equipment is mostly electrified, with a goal of eliminating gas-powered lifts entirely within the next 5-7 years. 

Community support

Annual corporate charitable contributions help fund local food pantries; aid for underprivileged and at-risk persons; supply personal protective equipment for police, fire, and rescue squads; sustain and support local hospitals and clinics; provide scholarships and fund school events, and help pay for community celebrations and entertainment events. “While resources are limited, since 2017, Guttenberg Industries has donated more than $224,000 to worthwhile causes that directly affect the health and well being of Clayton County residents,” commented Kreul.

Wide range of services

Guttenberg Industries has customers in automotive, agriculture, appliances, child-care products, pet-care products, medical and many other industry sectors. They enjoy a reputation for being problem-solvers, technical experts, and producers of exceptional quality. They maintain a full staff of engineering and quality assurance experts who work closely with customers to assist with material selection, design-for-manufacturability, and to coordinate the building of exceptional tooling. “We are successful when our customers are successful,” stressed Kreul. 

Using 21 different types of plastic resin, and over 230 grades, in addition to custom coloring and blending, Guttenberg Industries produced and shipped over 28 million pieces of approximately 830 unique products to 87 different customers. 

John Ertl’s legacy

From the very start, John set out to create a company that would succeed for many years, immediately incorporating, and building an organization structure that would endure, even in his absence. 

He had a knack for recognizing and harnessing peoples’ individual strengths and talents, and possessed a strong ability to form bonding relationships with people. For many years, he made it a point to walk the factory daily and say “Hello” to everyone, although in recent years he was less able to continue doing so. 

He used his innate talent to form a network of customers, material suppliers, tooling suppliers and to build an organization of people whom he knew on a first-name basis in order to win opportunities, secure supplies, and provide quality molding through out the region. 

“We are grateful for our father’s ingenuity, leadership, and strong work ethic,” his children shared with deep gratitude and appreciation. “We also value the many employees that have worked and are currently employed at Guttenberg Industries, and the customers we serve.” 

For additional information or job opportunities contact Tom Ertl at tertl@guttenbergindustries.com or apply online at www.guttenbergindustries.com/careers.