Doug Braken: Wiemann Iron Works

Doug Braken: Wiemann Iron Works

In 1940, German immigrant Ernest Wiemann incorporated and opened the doors to Wiemann Ironworks in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Along the way he picked up willing workers and learned the trade of ornamental metalwork.

Now with 15 employees, Wiemann Ironworks manufactures very high-end, meticulously detailed ornamental metalwork in bronze, aluminum and iron. It services clients across the nation. "We have a nice mix of high-end residential, commercial, government and church work. All of our customers want very high-quality ornamental metalwork," said Doug Bracken, current co-owner.

"I worked for Ernest as a project manager and draftsman," said Bracken. "When he was ready to retire, I was there. I knew the operations, customers and workforce. Somehow I managed to drag my brother and father into the business and we kept the well-established name."

It may have been Doug's brainchild to buy this business, but it has been a family affair. Bracken said the smartest thing he did was to bring his family into the business and utilize their experience. "My brother, David, is my business partner and vice president," explained Bracken. "He handles the business transactions. My father, Gary, retired from his previous occupation, a pipeline construction engineer and executive, a year after we bought the business. He has shared his wealth of business experience and knowledge with us. My degree is in architecture and I am more comfortable with sales, marketing and design."

The transition was not easy. "When we purchased the business, Dave and I worked 70 to 80 hours a week," said Bracken. "Even my wife, Ashley, was down here trying to help sort out things. As the years have passed, we've reduced our workweek to a manageable 45-50 hours."

Wiemann lost many employees after the purchase, in fact, nearly all of them. "We've had almost 100 percent turnover in the shop," said Bracken. "We lost a lot of sleep, but we managed to replace the employees with craftsmen who now provide us with a wider range of capabilities. Once again, a real challenge turned into a blessing," he continued.

"I firmly believe that a better product can be produced (and more fun had) with a group of motivated employees with average talent than with a group of superstar individuals who don't work well as a team," Bracken explained.

With its new team of workers, Wiemann Ironworks has turned out some very special projects. Each job is customized and every day brings a new set of challenges. For example, a client recently called wanting replicas made of ornate, cast bronze doors found in an old New York hotel. The client flew Bracken to New York and, standing in the lobby of the hotel, said, "I want doors just like this for my home theatre." Bracken says they recently installed the replica doors. "They look great and our team had a lot of fun," he said.

Bracken likes The Business Owner because it provides a good range of topics about things that affect businesses. He may not get something from every article but he does get something from every issue. Something that helps him in his effort to grow a successful business.

Bracken and his coworkers are well on their way and Bracken says they have turned a good business into a great one. "On a scale of 1 to 10, it's a 9 now ... and we're heading for 10."

Doug Bracken is president of The National Ornamental and Miscellaneous Metals Association (NOMMA), which provides a copy of The Business Owner to each member. Mr. Bracken also serves on the board of the Metal Museum in Memphis, TN.