Valu-Pro expands beyond Reedsville

March 24, 2017

By David Nordby The Brillion News

REEDSVILLE – Valu-Pro Power Center has been a staple of the Reedsville community since 1998. Now they’re hoping to do the same thing in Valders.

“Either you get bigger or you get out, so we had to expand,” owner Dave Bauknecht said.

The Bauknecht-owned business works in repairs and service on outdoor power equipment and sells Hustler and Toro brands. They’re now in their first month of leasing the service garage that was operated by Country Visions Cooperative in Valders.

“If we can continue to grow our business in small communities like Valders that’s what we’re going to do,” Bauknecht said.

His son, Tyler, will oversee the Valders location after being the main mechanic at the Reedsville location. The move has brought Dave out of retirement, but he was prepared for it.

Valu-Pro also hired an office person for the Reedsville location and picked up two part-time workers. All employees will go between the two locations, with the company still looking to hire two more full-time mechanics.

Country Visions contacted Bauknecht about the idea after reading a feature in the Wisconsin Business Journal where he stated he was looking to expand.

“It’s just another place to sell your product and services,” Bauknecht said.

In Valders, they are expanding their services and equipment, including pickup and delivery lines. The family is also going to dabble into automotive work for the first time.

Bauknecht shares ownership with his family, including Tyler and his other son Kyle, as well as his wife, Debbie. Reedsville will always be a special place for the family, where Tyler and Kyle grew up.

“I do a lot of business with the Reedsville people,” Bauknecht said. “We try to give back to the community as much as we can.”

Like in Reedsville, Bauknecht will keep the community feel in Valders. He adds that the local feel helps add to their quality service.

“There’s getting to be less of us small town businesses,” Bauknecht said.

This story was featured in the March 24, 2017 edition of The Brillion News.