“Honest day’s work for an honest day’s dollar.” Harmony businessman Arnold Morem was known to say this. The principle remains a fundamental part of the business Morem began back in 1945.
When the Rural Electrification Act came through in 1936, it paved the way for electricity to reach the rural areas of the country. Arnold found himself installing electrical service to farms in the area. “He was working for the City of Harmony Electric Department. He was installing wiring at nights and weekends and decided to start the business and make a living on it,” adds Stuart Morem, current co-owner and Arnold’s grandson.
He situated Harmony Electric Shop in downtown Harmony in an ornate, two-story brick building on Main Street’s east side. Sometime later, the name changed to Morem Electric. Arnold’s sons, Richard and Dean, also joined the family business. In 1972, they built a new facility in the city’s North Park business district off of Highway 52. Two years later, they officially incorporated the business.
Starting with wiring farmhouses and outbuildings, Morems eventually added additional services. “They sold antennas, televisions, and appliances,” adds Stuart. “When they moved from downtown they had to make a decision either to go into appliances on a larger level or just do the electrical contracting. They chose contracting.”
There was a time when the future of the company was unsure, during the 1980s. “When the farm crisis hit, interest went through the roof and there were many bankruptcies. We had a few file on us. Money was tight and people couldn’t pay on time,” recalls Stuart. “If Richard and Dean wouldn’t have been established we wouldn’t have survived. I was going to look for another job because there wasn’t any work, but then things started to straighten out and we haven’t looked back since.”
Morem Electric currently boasts 11 employees including Stuart, who does all the bidding, pricing, setting up jobs, scheduling and overseeing of projects, and Stuart’s wife, Marian, who takes care of billing and payroll. Fourth-generation employees Craig and Chris, sons of the couple, are also now co-owners with Craig serving as foreman and Chris taking care of pricing and the installation of the solar. Both men are learning parts of Stuart and Marian’s roles. Also on the team are Kevin Ostern, Matt Lindstrom, Gary Kappers, Ross Bahl, Jim Reicks, Connor Morem, and Super Jim Strozyk.
The company now provides a wide array of services from residential and farm wiring to both small and large businesses, industrial, Department of Transportation, and solar installations. “As we grow, we are starting to run out of room,” admits Stuart. “If the solar grows more we will need more room and a few more employees.”
Part of the shift relates to changes in how work is conducted. “There has been a huge change in tools and materials and techniques which has made the trade safer and more efficient,” notes Morem. Staff members take 16 hours of continuing education every two years to keep up to date on new technologies. Wholesale houses and technical schools also provide classes on new technology, material, and products used in the trade. “Training is very different,” explains Stuart. “Much of it is online and if you run into a problem you can troubleshoot it with the help of your phone.”
This advancement in service has also led to a steady stream of projects for the company and the success of them has been a real high point for the family. Foremost Farms, POET Biorefining, Ostrander Grain, Mensink Hog, Greenslade Grain, Love Grain, Schwartz Dairy, Biel Dairy, Foresight Dairy, Harmony Agri Services are just some of the projects Morem Electric has designed and installed.
Another key highlight for the company has been the generational aspect. Now a fifth-generation company, the family takes a great deal of satisfaction in knowing the trade has been passed down and the company will continue. “I don’t believe there is any secret,” confesses Stuart. “Everyone knows their job and if we have any problems we talk them out. It’s been the same throughout the years. You try to get enough work to keep everyone busy and enough cash flow to make payroll and pay your bills.”
“We try to do a good job for a fair price and it seems to have worked for 75 years.”
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