What August Winter & Sons does

August Winter & Sons is a privately held mechanical contractor and fabricator founded in 1929 in Appleton, Wisconsin, and operated today as a multi-divisional firm serving commercial, institutional, and industrial markets primarily in Wisconsin with select projects in Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana, and Oklahoma. The company organizes operations around four service divisions: Mechanical Contracting (HVAC, plumbing, industrial field services, water/wastewater, and site utilities); Fabrication (custom and stainless steel, tanks, ASME-certified pressure vessels, pipe fabrication, and skid components); Parallel Construction (a proprietary process combining in-shop prefabrication with on-site construction, supported by design-build, design-assist, VDC/BIM, 3D laser scanning, and robotic layout); and Service and Controls (24/7 HVAC service, planned maintenance contracts, building automation on the Tridium platform, and cross-connection testing).

Revenue is generated through project-based construction contracts (lump-sum and design-build), recurring service and maintenance agreements (monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual, or T&M), and custom fabrication work for ASME-certified pressure vessels and industrial skids. The firm maintains its own engineering, design, and VDC team with 14 personnel, three robotic layout stations, and Leica 3D laser scanning equipment, and holds the ASME S, U, and R stamps that qualify it for code-regulated boiler, pressure vessel, and power piping work. Customer relationships span major regional healthcare systems (ThedaCare, Marshfield Clinic, Aspirus, Aurora, HSHS), general contractors (Miron Construction, Boldt, McKinstry, Faith Technologies), industrial operators (Plexus, Neenah Paper, Lafarge, Land O' Lakes), and municipalities.

The go-to-market relies on direct enterprise field sales and design-build partnerships, with project acquisition driven by preferred-subcontractor status with regional general contractors and owner-direct relationships via engineering firms. In 2025 the company acquired the former JanSport/VF Outdoor facility near Appleton Airport, expanding its office footprint threefold and fabrication shop capacity approximately fourfold to support continued Parallel Construction and prefabrication throughput. AWS has 101-250 employees, operates branch offices in Appleton (headquarters) and Schofield/Wausau, and reports no parent company, institutional investment, or public listing.

Name

August Winter & Sons

Legal name

August Winter & Sons, Inc.

Website

https://augustwinter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

August Winter & Sons is a Wisconsin-based mechanical contractor and ASME-certified fabricator founded in 1929, delivering HVAC, plumbing, industrial piping, prefabricated mechanical systems, and 24/7 service to healthcare, industrial, educational, and municipal clients across the Midwest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mechanical Contracting and Industrial Fabrication

NAICS

Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (238220), Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (23822), Heating Equipment (except Warm Air Furnaces) Manufacturing (333414)

SIC

Construction - Special Trade Contractors (1700), Heating Equipment, Except Electric & Warm Air Furnaces (3433)

akta.pro primary industry

HVAC & Refrigeration Contracting (IMAFALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sheet Metal & Ductwork Contracting (IMAFALAH), Backflow Preventer Maintenance & Winterization (HSAOALAD), Water Heater/Boiler Flue, Venting & Chimney Liner Service (HSAOACAF)

Keywords

• Mechanical contracting
• HVAC installation
• Industrial fabrication
• Building automation services
• Plumbing construction

Headquarters

HQ city

Appleton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Service Contracts: Time & Material programs as well as monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual planned maintenance contracts. Maintenance programs include inspection only, comprehensive planned maintenance and full coverage agreements which include parts and labor. Provides recurring revenue through ongoing service relationships.
2. HVAC Service: 24-hour emergency service, preventive and predictive maintenance for HVAC equipment. Service programs include inspection, maintenance, and emergency repairs.
3. Water/Wastewater Projects: Construction services for water and wastewater treatment plants including equipment installation, process piping, and facility upgrades.
4. Custom Fabrication: Fabrication services for custom steel, stainless steel, tanks, pressure vessels, pipe fabrication, and skid components. Projects range from complex industrial fabrication to standard custom work.
5. Plumbing Services: Plumbing installation services for healthcare, medical gas, industrial, and sustainable/alternative designs projects.
6. HVAC Installation: Design, installation, commissioning and start-up of HVAC systems for commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

August Winter & Sons is a mechanical contractor and metal fabricator providing HVAC, plumbing, industrial field services, water/wastewater, and site utility installation for commercial, institutional, and industrial customers. The company also operates an in-house fabrication shop producing custom stainless and carbon steel tanks, ASME-stamped pressure vessels, pipe fabrication, and skid components. Around its proprietary Parallel Construction process — which combines in-shop prefabrication with on-site construction using VDC/BIM, 3D laser scanning, and robotic layout — the firm delivers design/build, design/assist, installation, building automation, and 24/7 service and maintenance across Wisconsin and the broader Midwest.

Product overview

August Winter & Sons is a mechanical contractor and fabricator established in 1929, offering a multi-service portfolio organized into four core divisions. Mechanical Contracting covers HVAC, Plumbing, Industrial Field Services, Water/Wastewater, and Site Utilities for commercial, institutional, and industrial markets. Fabrication provides in-house custom and stainless steel fabrication, tank fabrication, ASME pressure vessels, pipe fabrication with approach flow piping, and skid components — all from its Appleton, WI shop. Parallel Construction is a proprietary prefabrication approach developed by the company that simultaneously fabricates mechanical components in-shop while the building frame and foundation are constructed on-site, supported by Design Build & Design Assist, Virtual Construction (VDC/BIM), 3D Laser Scanning/Robotic Layout, and Continuous Improvement services. Service and Controls provides Building Automation & Controls, HVAC Service, Service Contracts, and Cross Flow Connection Surveys & Testing with 24/7 availability. The company operates from headquarters in Appleton, WI and a branch office in Wausau, WI.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mechanical Contracting Core mechanical contracting service covering HVAC, plumbing, industrial field services, water/wastewater systems, and site utilities for commercial, institutional, and industrial markets.
• HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) HVAC design, installation, commissioning, and start-up services, including collaboration with owners, architects, and construction managers from pre-design through completion.
• Plumbing Plumbing services ranging from healthcare and medical gas to industrial and sustainable/alternative designs, with project managers and designers promoted from field experience.
• Industrial Field Services Industrial sheet metal, process and utility piping installation from design through startup, including specialized capabilities and heavy equipment for complex industrial operations.
• Water/Wastewater Water and wastewater construction services for plant additions and renovations, managed with attention to detail and cost-effective techniques using a single-source construction team.
• Site Utilities Site utility installation including underground piping and infrastructure work for commercial and industrial projects.
• Fabrication In-house fabrication services using stainless steel, carbon steel, and special alloys, encompassing custom fabrication, tank fabrication, pressure vessels, pipe fabrication, and skid components.
• Custom and Stainless Steel Fabrication Custom fabrication in stainless steel and special alloys serving every industry, with precise attention to detail and quality control for projects of any size.
• Tank Fabrication Single-source tank fabrication performed in-house, covering cutting, rolling, welding, and inspection for jacketed, square, special process, large or small tanks built to customer specifications.
• ASME Pressure Vessels Custom design and manufacture of ASME Pressure Vessels including Section 1 boilers and power piping (S Stamp), Section VIII Division 1 pressure vessels (U Stamp), and National Board-certified repairs and alterations (R Stamp).
• Pipe Fabrication and Approach Flow Piping Approach flow pipe fabrication with special inside finishes ranging from 32Ra to 16Ra, electro-polished surfaces inspected with a digital profilometer before shipment.
• Skid Components Modular prefabrication of skid components and packages including piping, valves, tanks, and process equipment for tight project schedules.
• Parallel Construction A construction process developed by August Winter in which mechanical and plumbing components are prefabricated in the shop simultaneously with on-site building frame and foundation construction, accelerating schedules and improving final product quality. Encompasses Design Build & Design Assist, Virtual Construction, 3D Laser Scanning/Robotic Layout, and Continuous Improvement.
• Design Build & Design Assist Innovative engineering and design team serving as lead design team on mechanical projects and partnering with engineering teams, with designers holding ASHRAE, ASME, and LEED certifications.
• Virtual Construction (VDC/BIM) Virtual Design and Construction using Building Information Modeling (BIM), providing preconstruction services with 10+ years of committed VDC team development for cost and time savings.
• 3D Laser Scanning/Robotic Layout Total station robotic layout (three stations) and Leica 3D laser scanning to develop point cloud files of complex areas for working 3D existing-condition models used in design and coordination.
• Continuous Improvement Lean and continuous improvement program focused on adding client value through employee-identified ideas, regular project team meetings, and incremental improvements developed from lessons learned and employee suggestions.
• Service and Controls Service department offering building automation and controls, HVAC service, planned maintenance contracts, and cross flow connection surveys and testing. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Building Automation & Controls Design, installation, retrofit, commissioning, and service of building temperature control and automation systems using Tridium front end and Enterprise Servers, integrating JCI, Honeywell, Siemens, Carrier, Trane, and open protocols (BacNet, Modbus, ZigBee, Lon) for open, non-proprietary building management.
• HVAC Service HVAC equipment service and maintenance with over 290 years of combined technician experience, handling systems from small units to large complex HVAC systems from any major manufacturer, including 24-hour emergency service.
• Service Contracts Planned maintenance programs ranging from Time & Material to monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual contracts, including inspection only, comprehensive planned maintenance, and full coverage agreements covering parts and labor.
• Cross Flow Connection Surveys & Testing Licensed technicians test and certify cross connection control devices (backflow preventers) and perform cross flow connection surveys including municipal form contact, piping inspection, device installation verification, repairs, and governing body paperwork submission.

Quantifiable outcome

• Accelerated construction schedules through parallel construction process
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BoldtcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Design/build and design/assist partner on HVAC and plumbing projects for eight years. Professional services and trusted trade partner with consistent on-time project delivery both in office and on project site.
• McKinstrycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Preferred subcontractor relationship due to professionalism and ability to complete projects on time with high quality installations. AWS is recognized as preferred by McKinstry.
• Miron ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1929Long-standing trusted partner in collaborative model-based construction approach. August Winter's virtual construction specialists work with Miron throughout design, prefabrication and construction process using building information modeling.
• Faith TechnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative effort on modeling efforts with August Winter's virtual construction specialist. Shared ideas throughout modeling process to save customer both time and money. Relationship developed during preconstruction phase remained strong through construction.
• Professional OrganizationsminorOthersHVAC and Plumbing designers hold certifications in multiple states. Engineers and designers are members of ASHRAE, ASME, and LEED professional organizations ensuring compliance with codes and use of leading edge techniques.
• Sargent & LundyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering firm collaboration on Rochester Public Utilities design/build HVAC project. Sargent & Lundy worked with August Winter and Boldt on the facility design.
• The Boldt CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction management partnership on Rochester Public Utilities design/build HVAC project. August Winter was design/build HVAC contractor in collaboration with Sargent & Lundy and Boldt.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• J.F. Ahern Co. Privately held Wisconsin-based mechanical contractor providing HVAC, plumbing, fabrication, and service. Head-to-head competitor in AWS's core Wisconsin market with overlapping healthcare, industrial, and municipal customers.
• Limbach Holdings: Public mechanical contractor with a heavy emphasis on service and building-automation recurring revenue — a direct analog to AWS's HVAC-service, controls, and planned-maintenance model, though operating across multiple U.S. regions.
• Hooper Corporation: Wisconsin-headquartered mechanical and electrical contractor serving industrial, commercial, and institutional customers. Direct regional peer to AWS with comparable HVAC, plumbing, and process-piping capabilities.
• Faith Technologies: National electrical and specialty systems contractor with strong VDC/BIM and prefabrication capabilities and an existing collaborative relationship with AWS. Comparable in technological approach and trade-partner positioning, although primarily electrical rather than mechanical.
• Waldinger Corporation: Midwest mechanical, electrical, and sheet-metal contractor with fabrication and 24/7 service operations. Directly comparable service mix (HVAC, plumbing, fabrication, service) to AWS, primarily serving Iowa and surrounding states.
• MG McGrath: Upper Midwest architectural sheet metal and metal fabrication firm with adjacent mechanical services. Comparable to AWS's custom stainless fabrication and sheet-metal/ductwork capabilities, particularly for healthcare and industrial customers.

Broad incumbents

• EMCOR Group: Largest publicly traded mechanical and electrical construction services firm in the U.S. Overlaps directly with AWS's HVAC, plumbing, and building-automation service lines, but at national scale and across industrial, commercial, institutional, and utility end-markets.
• API Group: Global provider of safety, specialty, and industrial services with significant mechanical contracting and building-services exposure. Comparable in service-line breadth (HVAC, plumbing, controls, fabrication), but materially larger and publicly traded.
• Comfort Systems USA: Public national mechanical contractor providing HVAC, plumbing, and controls installation and service. Closely comparable to AWS in core service mix but operates across many more geographies.

Regional players

• Corporate Mechanical Contractors: Minnesota-based mechanical contractor delivering HVAC, plumbing, and process piping to industrial and commercial clients. Regional peer operating in adjacent Upper Midwest geography with similar project types.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCp4RkU7mP3L0l1

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about August Winter & Sons