Jj Koepsell Company

The J.J. Koepsell Company's genesis was back in 1889 when commercial sailing ships plied the Great Lakes. A Sheboygan man by the name of John J. Koepsell built a chandlery, which sold repair and maintenance supplies like ropes, cloths and pullies for those vessels. The company was located at Eighth Street and Indiana Avenue. By 1902, when steam ships were replacing the venerable sailing vessels, Mr. Koepsell changed with the times and shifted his business to the retailing of hardware items. The chandlery was renamed "J.J. Koepsell Hardware Co.", though by 1910 the original name was brought back. In the early 1920's Walter Koepsell, John's son, developed a plumbing and heating contracting division for the company. The venture proved to be quite popular and by 1929 the company was converted into a wholesale business, selling plumbing, heating and electrical supplies. In 1946, the J.J. Koepsell company changed locations to South 9th Street along the river. The building is a four story, 65,000 square foot structure which gave the company the opportunity to grow. Walter Koepsell Jr., president of the firm at this time, headed the plumbing and heating division while Fred Koepsell, his brother, took care of the electrical and electronics department in addition to his role as secretary-treasurer. A contributing factor to the growth of the J.J. Koepsell Company was their aggressive business philosophy...