A.I. McDermott Co., Inc.
2009 Jackson St.
Oshkosh, WI 54901
(920)231-7080
(800)242-0357
FAX: (920)231-6041
www.mcdermottpumps.com
Number of employees: 30 at four locations
Year established: 1943
By Kelli Karpinski, NewsWave Staff Reporter
This is a busy time of year for the A.I. McDermott Company. While residential builders are in the midst of constructing new homes, A.I. McDermott is likely supplying the water well pumps, water and wastewater treatment equipment and supplies to those new homes built beyond the reach of municipal water and sewer.
A.I. McDermott is a company that has evolved through three generations of the McDermott family. While product lines have changed, the company's success, based on a knowledgeable, long-term staff, has grown. Within the 30-member staff, 15-, 20- and 30-year tenures are not uncommon.
"This is critical in our business – it's relationship driven, not transaction driven," said President Tom McDermott Jr.
A.I. McDermott, often referred to as "McDermott Pumps," is a wholesale distributor of water well, wastewater and water treatment supplies and pump, plumbing and hydronic heating equipment to well drillers, pump installers, plumbers, septic system installers, heating contractors and industrial customers. With corporate offices in Oshkosh and branches in Green Bay, Muskego and Wausau, the company serves over 700 regular, loyal customers throughout Wisconsin, Upper Michigan and Northern Illinois and does business with another several hundred customers on an intermittent basis.
A.I. McDermott is one of a handful of small, independent plumbing and heating wholesalers based in Wisconsin, although its focus is more specialized than its competitors, setting itself apart in the industry. In addition to representing well known plumbing and heating lines such as A.O. Smith water heaters and Weil McLain boilers, their private labeling programs under the McDermott name for pumps and pressure tanks and the AquaSoft Pro private label for water softeners and reverse osmosis water treatment systems has propelled the company to greater success.
"Building the "McDermott Pump" brand name and seeking partnerships with technologically innovative company's like Grundfos Pumps has really helped us," McDermott said. "Making our name synonymous with exciting new technologies such as constant pressure water systems for rural homeowners has benefited us in the face of our competition."
A.I. McDermott staff is able to handle questions about any aspect of installing the company's products. Product managers specialize in one area of the company and then train customers on any technological advances. Besides provide training, product managers' size, design and trouble shoot products for the job site.
"Training of customers on new technologies and opportunities remains a priority," McDermott said. "As the channel for the distribution of goods widens in a global marketplace, the education function for wholesale distributors' increases in importance. How else does a manufacturer market a technically complex product to an installing contractor being bombarded with information from all directions? A respected, technically competent wholesale distributor who understands the local marketplace is the key."
As for the future, McDermott plans a stronger foundation in three areas to ensure company success—further building the "McDermott Pump" brand; emphasizing green technology to deliver private water supplies, water and on-site wastewater treatment safely and effectively to rural homeowners; and expanding the customer base in western Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
