Endres Manufacturing marks 100 years with gift to Agrace

Monday, September 14, 2026

As reported by Tribune Enterprise, Roberta Baumann

As Diane Endres Ballweg greeted friends, family, community members and contractors at the Endres Manufacturing Company’s 100th anniversary party Sept. 10, she noted one of the company’s many unique features.

The steel manufacturing company is one of just 2% of family-owned businesses to reach the fourth generation.

From the stage that country singer Rodney Atkins would take soon after on the Endres Manufacturing grounds in Waunakee, Ballweg pointed out that at 100, her family’s company is not the oldest in area, noting Findorff at 136 years, Vogel Bros. Construction at 151 years and Cullen at 134 years.

And Ballweg shared some statistics:

• In 1936, Endres’ profits were $361.
• In 1942, Ballweg’s father Larry Endres was the manager and president, with an hourly wage of 50 cents.
• In 1946, Larry’s wage was $1,867.

The company that started with 2 employees — Lawrence Endres Sr. and son Larry Endres  in 1926 — grew to 10 employees in 1963 then to 26 in 1976. Today, 125 people are employed at Endres Manufacturing.

The Endres Manufacturing Foundation began in 1996, and the philanthropic arm provided $3,462 in grants in 1996.

To celebrate the company’s 100-year milestone and the four generations, this year the foundation is granting $1 million to different organizations, with $250,000 gifts each quarter. On Sept. 10, the foundation presented a check to Beth Larson of Agrace Hospice, which is building the first ever Dementia Village in Wisconsin.

Expected to open in September 2027, the Dementia Village will “revolutionize care and will be a model to be replicated,” said Beth Larson of Agrace.

Some of other gifts throughout the year have gone to Schumacher Farm County Park, the Waunakee Fire Department and as a sponsorship for a July Concerts on the Square that was cancelled due to protests.

Endres Manufacturing President Sam Ballweg, whose great-grandfather Lawrence Sr. began the company, asked the more than 700 attendees to imagine how the company started in 1926, in a shop surrounded by a farm field in the “middle of nowhere.”

Sam Ballweg spoke of each generation’s legacy in four chapters, beginning with Lawrence Endres Sr.’s patents and his son Larry Endres’ Bavarian architecture, along with the summer goats, which have become a fixture for the company and iconic to Waunakee.

Sam recalled his own father, Ken Ballweg, poring over blueprints and as a tenor in the choir.

“He set an example of what hard work was,” Sam said, recalling some of the early projects, such as the Madison Post Office in the 1970s.

While Endres has seen changes over the years, the values are the same, he said, going on to thank the company’s employees, the Village of Waunakee, suppliers, partners and customers, friends and family.

“Thanks for being part of the story,” he said.

Sam Ballweg added that the future is bright.

“Whatever comes next, it’s because of the people,” he said, introducing Rodney Atkins whose song, “These Are My People,” holds special significance.

“Thanks, everyone, for being part of the history,” Ballweg said.

That history — with stories and photographs — is preserved in a commemorative book written by Doug Moe for the 100th year.

The event also kicked off Wauktoberfest, the celebration of German music, beer and food held at the Endres Manufacturing campus held each year to benefit local service organizations.