Glen Flora apparel firm’s owners ensure company will stay put

GLEN FLORA — Gordon Dukerschein was about 8 years old when he and his siblings helped as their parents started a fledgling apparel operation out of a renovated dairy building near the small Rusk County community of Glen Flora.

Recently, Gordon and his wife, Bev, sold the now highly successful and respected Artisans business to its nearly 100 employees, largely to ensure it will remain in the area where it originated about 54 years ago.

“We had other options; we could have sold to an outsider, but when the ink is dry on the paper and they own the company, they can do whatever they want,” Gordon said. “We always felt that the employees here are the heart of the company, and we think very, very highly of them.

“Selling it to them was an easy decision,” he added. “They get an opportunity they would not otherwise have; and when you’re working for yourself, you really turn the energy on. This is a great solution and we’re so thankful it worked out this way.”

It took about 18 months to finalize the employee stock ownership plan, which includes a seven-year, $800,000 loan to Artisans from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. and financing from the Dukerscheins.

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