Roman Electric Company, one of the largest electrical contractors in Wisconsin, began as a one-man company in 1929 just a month before the infamous "Black Thursday"stock market crash.
Founder Roman Rose, unaware of course of the impending "Great Depression," was very pleased to pass Milwaukee's contractor exam at a youthful 23. Roman started his electrical wiring business in a two-story frame building at 1738 S. 11th Street where his father had operated a cigar factory with 12 employees.
Marriage and Appliances
In 1935 he married Cathryne Lemanski and made her a partner in the business, which by then also sold electrical appliances. "We sure had low overhead in those days," chuckled Mrs. Rose. Roman and his helper ran the contracting business out of the basement, and we had an apartment above the appliance store. As the children came along it was kind of cramped but we managed."
Electric Ranges
To promote business, the Roses conducted electric range cooking classes which often attracted large crowds because electric ranges were such a curiosity then. One of the largest classes attracted 200 people to St. Mary Magdalen Church hall (S. 19th and Windlake) in 1937. The Electric Company, co-sponsor of the classes, provided a home economist to do the cooking. Meals prepared were served to attendees and door prizes were also awarded to encourage attendance. The demonstrations spurred the sale of electric ranges as well as the wiring needed for them.
Growth Stimulus
Roman Rose handled both residential and industrial wiring but growth was difficult in the '30s. World War II changed that. Industrial plants converted to wartime production to satisfy the huge need for military goods. As industrial power requirements increased, the electrical industry also expanded. To satisfy the growing demand for service, Roman Electric added more electricians. After the war, the housing boom continued to spur economic growth. For Roman Electric that meant increased activity in a growing variety of residential, industrial, commercial and institutional projects. The original building housing the appliance store and electrical shop was razed in 1956 and a larger building was constructed. As the business grew, so did the Rose family. "Since they were five years old the kids were helping out in the business," Mrs. Rose said. "Cleaning the shop, emptying baskets, folding bills, whatever they could do." Eventually, the second generation joined the business full time when Gerv Rose (1958) and Greg Rose (1961) graduated with Electrical Engineering degrees from Marquette University.
Transition
On September 1, 1963, shortly before his 57th birthday, Roman Rose died of a heart attack. His company had survived the depression, grown to satisfy war-time demands and expanded to serve booming post-war markets. The 15 employee business passed on to the next generation as Gerv Rose became president and Greg Rose vice president. Their foster brother Tom Pucylowski also joined the company as a vice president.
Operating Principles
Together they guided the company to impressive growth in the '60s. The solid base for that growth was the company's practical philosophy. Said president Gerv Rose, "We believe in market diversification to offset cyclical trends. We emphasize customer satisfaction. We encourage employee communication. We're leaders in installing new electrical products and systems. We work hard on labor/management cooperation. And we have excellent project managers intent on satisfying customer needs."
Growing Skills
Electric heat was one example of Roman Electric's new product leadership. In the '60s the company pioneered the installation of electric heat systems, then in their infancy. Tom Pucylowski, a prime mover in electric heat, supervised the first totally electric, large scale residential development in Wisconsin at the Greenfield Tuckaway condominium project in 1965. Roman's expertise in electric heat resulted in commercial and industrial work as well. Working on a maze of electrical wiring, a Roman electrician installs a dual power emergency system at the Medical Complex. A growing emphasis on design/build construction, especially industrial buildings, also developed in the '60s. "Developers wanted contractors who could provide completely engineered buildings including electrical installation," said vice president Greg Rose. "Because we offered a full range of electrical design, engineering, installation and maintenance services, we became involved in more projects from beginning to end." By the '70s, Roman had also become expert in installing, rebuilding and repairing overhead crane and machine tool motor components in a variety of industrial applications.
Expansion
Bursting at the seams in 1974, Roman Electric bought a sprawling single-story building with a large parking lot centrally located near the I-94 freeway at 640 S. 70th street. After extensive remodeling the 13,000 sq. ft. facility became the company's new office and warehouse. Power and lighting for the downtown Riverwalk was installed by Roman Electric. The 11th St. building was used solely for appliance sales until the company phased out that part of the business in the late '80s. New and growing technology in the '70s and '80s meant added opportunity for those who were prepared. Roman expanded its scope via new skills, knowledge and equipment. The company installed electrical systems for NC tooling, office computerization, programmable machine controls, fiber optic wiring and other state-of-the-art technology. To expand its base of knowledge, Roman Electric encourages continuing education and training for a staff of 250 electricians and its project management group. The company's unusual employee longevity contributes to its impressive pool of knowledge. In late '85 Roman Electric expanded its geographic and customer base by purchasing Ruud Electric, a Sturtevant, Wisconsin electrical contractor serving a variety of customers in the Racine/Kenosha area.
Roman Electric Today
With the passing of Greg and Tom, Roman has begun a new chapter in it's history with the naming of Phil Rose to President and Gabe Rose to Vice President of Design and Engineering. Phil and Gabe are the third generation to lead the company, both sons of Gerv Rose, who remains CEO.
Now nearing the end of its eighth decade, Roman Electric Company is one of the largest electrical contractors in southeast Wisconsin. About half its work is new construction with the other half split between remodeling and service. Roman serves a growing range of industrial, commercial, residential and institutional customers - some in other states - with electrical services from common to complex. To handle the growth in low voltage wiring, Roman has a staff of six technicians who design, build and repair computer, telephone and video systems. They install integrated networks to accommodate the continuous growth in computer system size, speed and volume. Roman success depends on a team of experts working together. That includes experienced project managers, electrical engineers, state certified Professional Engineers and a Professional Designer, highly trained electricians, and knowledgeable support staff. A fleet of more than 70 service trucks and investment in the most effective tooling assure customers of service as needed around the clock.
Roman TechNet is a Single Source for a company's telecommunications and networking needs. Roman TechNet can be divided into three separate divisions; Cabling, Telephones, and Information Technology.
Range of Projects
Roman electricians installed electrical systems for a robot manufacturing plant.....Fiber optics in a huge tractor manufacturing plant.....Wiring for a 1.7 mile automated conveyor line for painting parts.....Cabling for one of the largest computer installations in the Midwest..... Power cables beneath the Milwaukee River.....Miles of conduit in and below the 16th St. and 35th St. viaducts..... Power in hundreds of apartment complexes..... Electrical systems in scores of new and remodeled churches and office buildings....New and remodeled electric wiring in thousands of homes. As industry and consumers become more dependent on electric and computer power and labor-saving devices, more users rely on Roman Electric to supply and service that power.
A Crew of Highly Skilled Electricians
Continuous Training with an Emphasis on Safety
A fleet of 50 Service and Bucket Trucks
A staff of Professional Engineers, Designers and Technicians
Full Service Design/Build Capability
Wisconsin's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Experts
@ 2008 Roman Electric Co.
Milwaukee
640 S. 70th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53214
(414) 771-5400 · Fax: (414) 471-8693
Racine/Kenosha
2900 Wisconsin Street
Sturtevant, WI 53177
Phone: (262) 886-3742 · Fax: (262)886-3082
Roman Electric Company, one of the largest electrical contractors in Wisconsin, began as a one-man company in 1929 just a month before the infamous "Black Thursday"stock market crash.
In 1935 he married Cathryne Lemanski and made her a partner in the business, which by then also sold electrical appliances. "We sure had low overhead in those days," chuckled Mrs. Rose. Roman and his helper ran the contracting business out of the basement, and we had an apartment above the appliance store. As the children came along it was kind of cramped but we managed."
