In 1923, Giese Sheet Metal Company was started by Edwin Giese, Sr. He ran the business out of his house in an alley off Rhomberg Ave. in Dubuque, Iowa. Edwin had an ever-present force: a dream to grow.
In 1935, Edwin put that dream into action. He finally was able to purchase a small office building, located just across from what is now Sutton Pool. This was a huge move for Edwin because now he was really given an opportunity to expand. Over the next 20 or so years he continued to grow the business and ensure his three sons (Edwin Jr., Joseph, and William) had a business to manage and expand in the future.
In 1965, Edwin Jr., Joseph, and William moved Giese Sheet Metal to its current location at 2125 Kerper Blvd. With the move Giese also received a new company logo, the one still used today. This new building was almost three times the size as the old one, which gave the Giese Companies another chance to expand.
In 1997, Thomas and Charles bought out the rights to fabricate and sell CASE parts from Clinton Engineering Co. As a result, Giese Manufacturing was born. This company started out slow and relatively small, but now has become one of the largest in Dubuque.
In 2002, Giese Manufacturing moved into its current location at 7025 Chavenelle Road. It was not very long before the company outgrew this building and had to add on. In tracing the progress of Giese Sheet Metal Company, it is evident Edwin's dream came true. Efficiency, quality, and integrity in business moved Giese Sheet Metal Company out of a shop in an alley to three locations in Dubuque.
As the Giese Companies continue to grow, it's once again outgrown their present manufacturing facility. In 2013, a new 30,000-sq.-ft. expansion was built to accommodate the organization's growing needs. This addition will also be home to Giese Lighting Company, started in 2010. The hope is to streamline the manufacturing of lights in our products, which in turn keeps costs low.
In 2013 Giese celebrated 90 years in business. We're very proud to have hit this milestone. It's not every day a company can say they have been in business over 90 years, not to mention being family owned and operated the entire time.
No one knows what the future holds for Giese Companies over the next 20, 50, or 80 years. All we can promise is that we will always live up to Edwin's dream: a quality company that is always proud of our name. We're extremely glad the business continues to be family owned and operated. When it comes to the Giese Companies, you not only receive quality products in a timely manner, but you also work with a company with a rich family tradition.
