The Waldinger Corporation, an Iowa-based full-service mechanical, electrical, and sheet metal contractor, has announced its merger with Aupperle Plumbing and Heating, Inc., a North Platte, Nebraska-based plumbing service contractor.
The deal, announced on December 2, marks Waldinger’s second expansion in the North Platte market following their 2019 acquisition of Norman Refrigeration.
Aupperle Plumbing and Heating, established in 1968 by Dick Aupperle, has been a prominent fixture in North Platte’s plumbing and heating service sector for over five decades. Under the terms of the merger, the company will retain its brand name and current workforce, with Rick Aupperle continuing to lead daily operations as plumbing superintendent.
“We are excited to welcome the Aupperle team to Waldinger,” said Derek Hileman, president of Waldinger Service. “Aupperle has a reputation for delivering value to customers and a 56-year history of success. Their expertise in plumbing and heating service is a significant boost to our capabilities, putting us in a great position to meet the needs of clients in the North Platte market.”
The merger enhances Waldinger’s service offerings in the region, adding plumbing capabilities to their existing HVAC and refrigeration services. For Aupperle, the partnership represents an opportunity for growth while maintaining the company’s longstanding values.
Rick Aupperle emphasized the importance of finding the right partner to preserve his family’s legacy: “Ever since my father started the business in 1968, the Aupperle name has stood for quality work and customer satisfaction. That’s why when it was time to take the business to the next level, it was important to find a partner that held the same values. I’m looking forward to the next chapter in partnership with Waldinger and continuing to provide the same great service to our customers as we always have.”
Strategic Growth and Industry Leadership
The Aupperle merger continues Waldinger’s pattern of strategic growth across the Midwest. In 2017, the company significantly expanded its Iowa presence by acquiring Wolin Mechanical-Electrical, one of Des Moines’ oldest contracting firms, creating a combined workforce of 750 employees. That acquisition strengthened Waldinger’s position as one of the region’s largest mechanical contractors, particularly expanding their 24-hour maintenance and repair service fleet.
Waldinger’s industry leadership extends beyond its business expansion. The company has deep roots in industry associations, with Guy Gast, president of Waldinger’s Iowa Division, being named the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) Contractor of the Year in 2020. The company’s operations now span multiple states, including Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin and Illinois, with a total Midwest workforce of about 4,000 employees.
The merger with Aupperle Plumbing and Heating represents the latest chapter in Waldinger’s evolution from its humble beginnings as Capital City Tin Shop, founded by Austrian tinsmith Harry Waldinger in 1906. Through strategic acquisitions and expansions — including the addition of a piping and plumbing division in the 1960s and an electrical division in 2002 — the company has grown into one of the nation’s premier full-service mechanical contractors.
Innovation Heritage and Industry Impact
The Waldinger Corporation’s growth story is complemented by its significant contributions to industry innovation. In the early 1980s, the company played a pivotal role in revolutionizing HVAC duct fabrication through its collaboration with Lockformer and Welty-Way (now Iowa Precision) in developing the Transverse Duct Connection (TDC) system. This innovation, spearheaded by Waldinger’s Shop Superintendent George Hinshaw, helped establish new standards for duct construction that are still used worldwide today.
David Daw, 2021 SNIPS NEWS’ Industry Icon, said the TDC system, introduced in 1982, represented a major advancement in sheet metal fabrication –
offering significant labor and material cost savings while maintaining joint integrity.
Tom Koehn, Waldinger’s CEO, noted in a statement that the company is committed to meeting growing demand through innovation that improves the productivity of its growing workforce.
“The construction and service industries are challenged by worker shortages, baby boomer retirements and succession planning – all amidst expanded opportunities,” he explained.
Waldinger is upfront about its ambitious growth plans, stating on their website that they are aiming to double their geographic coverage and soliciting potential acquisitions – even sharing testimonials. Steve Walrath, the former owner of A’Hearn Plumbing and Heating, concluded he was “impressed by the vision of where the company was headed, the tools they were bringing to the table, and their financial stability.”