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It’s no secret that LaGrange County is home to some of the finest and most distinguished craftsman in our country, but we’re betting most of our residents have no idea about the varying skillsets of creators in our area or the impact they have on our local economy. We want to bring light to local industry and share an exclusive look into some of the unique and wonderful things that are happening right here in our rural paradise. This is Made in LaGrange, a new feature written by Emilee at LaGrange County Economic Development to showcase the many facets of our complex community and the creators that reside in it.
In August S&H Metal Products of Topeka, IN. was recognized in Indianapolis by Governor Eric J. Holcomb and awarded the Governor's Half Century Business Award with nearly 52 year in business. While this is a fantastic accomplishment all on it's own, there are not many businesses that can also boast over 50 years in business with the same owner - but that's exactly what owner Fritz Helmuth has accomplished. Seated across a table in his office in Topeka, IN, surrounded by an impressive collection of sports memorabilia and sharing stories over coffee, Fritz said that it wasn’t because he hasn’t had the opportunity to sell the business. On the contrary, there have been a few appealing offers over the years – but never one that left him feeling comfortable letting someone else run the business and culture that he has so carefully cultivated since the early 1970s.
Starting at a young age Fritz had to work before and after school at his dad’s sheet metal business, J&B Metal. He gave a small laugh when he said he really loved school because if he was at school, it meant he wasn’t at work. He worked full time at his dad’s shop from the day he graduated 8th grade until he was 17 when he went to work with Harley Schlabach. This newly formed metal shop eventually evolved into S&H Metal - for Schlabach & Helmuth. He gave another laugh when he told me that he always told his dad and everyone who would listen that he would never work in metal. In its very early years the shop produced furnace adapters and components and heat duct adapters, but in 1975 they acquired a wheel well company and began manufacturing wheel wells for RVs. It was sometime around then that the two also started a bargain center for salvage groceries. The two would work groceries during the day and then unload semi-trucks full of sheet metal by hand, oftentimes working through the night.
In 1978 Harley made a comment to Fritz about the metal business slowing down suggesting that maybe they should move into selling groceries full time. At that point they had four or five good companies buying from them at S&H, but the market wasn’t in good shape. Because they both had equal 50% shares in both businesses, Fritz suggested that they swap – Schlabach could take full ownership of the grocery business and he would keep going with metal, and that’s exactly what they did. Back then Fritz had five employees and he only took home $258 dollars a week because $260 meant a higher tax bracket. They also didn’t have a phone or electricity in the shop, a far cry from the business’s current operations.
Today S&H operates out of a beautiful new building in Topeka that they’ve occupied for the last two years. It is full of sophisticated equipment and a team of nearly 80 employees that Fritz absolutely treasures. They can produce close to 3500 wheel wells a week. They also build generator and luggage compartments, structural and framing components, tank holders, and frame accessories for cargo trailers and RVs, and house a state-of-the-art automated powder coating business now known as Freedom Finish Works, which was acquired from Fritz’ brother in 2009 and boasts an additional 15 employees of its own.
When asked about what sets them apart from their competitors, Fritz says there isn’t a single one who has been in this business as long as S&H and their customers love that. He said he loves rush orders because it really shows what his staff can do, and he loves to watch them succeed. They work to provide great service – “it’s never been ‘well if you wanted it that quick you should’ve ordered it sooner,’ it will always be ‘we are going to do it and get it for you by tomorrow because we can, and we will show you we can!’” He also shared his biggest obstacle – technology and keeping up with the times. Going from a shop with no electricity to the use of lasers and automation isn’t for the faint of heart.
Fritz confidently shared a generous amount of wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs in our community saying that the most important things are that you have to make good choices; be careful who you hang out with and what you surround yourself with; keep a positive attitude every single day, even when its hard; have respect for both yourself and for the people around you, and have common sense; never forget how you got where you’re at – there’s a lot of steps, remember that God is in charge with each one; and surround yourself with really good people who are good at the things you aren’t and have their backs. If you don’t believe you have something to sell, then you don’t. If you have a dream then you have to follow it, and if you truly want to make something out of it then you have got to be willing to sacrifice for it. Last, he encourages young business owners to partner up with a successful business owner and let them provide mentorship. They’ve already done it – you don’t need to reinvent the wheel.
Finally, and without missing a beat Fritz answered my questions about next steps for S&H. “It’s so easy to start a business. You only need a couple of people who agree on something, and then those people just surround themselves with good people, and then eventually your kids can join in and make good money too, but it comes to a point where you have got to exit. That’s the hard thing.” He took me through several scenarios for the business which brought us to his final thoughts in our conversation. He shared that he won’t let it go unless he finds someone who thinks like him. “It would have to be someone who will continue to employee the team I’ve built…who will appreciate them and their faith, and someone who will love the company the way I do because what we have built together is so special and my workers deserve the very best,” and it sounds to us like the very best is exactly what they’ve got!
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