Member Spotlight: Tad Bauer, Bauer Built


BY TODD TRAUB Contributing Writer


Tad Bauer’s company helps put the tires


under the vehicles in the far-flung transporta- tion industry, but when it comes to Bauer him- self, the wheels have always carried him home. President of family-owned Bauer Built Inc.


since 2012, Bauer is right where he wanted to be while leading the company right where he wants it to go. “It looked like a pretty great opportunity,”


Bauer said of his decision to pursue a career with the family business, which has kept him mostly in his hometown of Durand, Wisc. Celebrating its 70th


anniversary, Bauer


Built Inc., has become a mainstay tire and service supplier in the upper midwest and northern states. Company highlights, include, of course,


the founding by G.F. “Sam” Bauer in 1944. Originally, Bauer Built Inc. sold petroleum products to area service stations and farming operations in the Durand area, an enterprise which led to ownership of gas stations and eventually retail, wholesale and commercial tire sales and customer service. “A lot has stayed the same because there’s


been some good foundational things to stay in business over 70 years,” Tad Bauer said. Te company expanded over the next 10


years and began to manufacture retreads. As family members joined the operation Bauer Built Inc. grew to post sales of more than $10 million and by 1975 had a number of operations in Eau Claire and Durand. Sam Bauer sold his interests to his son


Jerry and sons-in-law in 1976, and under the third generation leadership of Tad, the


PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL MINTURN


company continues to grow and expand and has 35 locations scattered throughout Wisconsin (of course), Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and North Dakota.


Bauer, 40, grew up in the home of the


company headquarters in Durand and has spent most of his professional and personal


NEBRASKA TRUCKER — ISSUE 4, 2015 — www.nebtrucking.com


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