CPI Electrical Contractors

By Nate Legue

BusinessRockford.com

Owners/top executives: Ty Pratt and Rob Quittschreiber

Address: 1275 Turret Drive, Machesney Park

Telephone: 815-654-6000

E-mail: ty@cpielectric.com or rob@cpielectric.com

Purchased: July 31, 2007

Products and services: Electrical contract work for residential, commercial and industrial sites

Why did you get into this business? I had worked here for close to 20 years, Rob for 10. In talking with the owner, he decided he wouldn’t mind selling it, and we were looking to buy something. So it worked out great. ... The main reason was to leave a legacy. That sounds maybe kind of weird. But I wanted to kind of make a mark. When I leave this good earth, I want to know that I’ve left something behind. Whether it’s a building or something else, something that Ty and Rob built.

What advice can you offer others who are thinking of entering the business? Head things off right away. Don’t let them sit on your desk because that’s where you get into problems. When it gets on your desk, deal with it. Otherwise, it becomes a big problem.

How has your business grown since you purchased it? It’s going well, going real well. We’re building the business. ... We are talking to new general contractors now. We’ve picked up ones we haven’t talked to in a long time.

Where do you see your business in the next five years? Basically, it comes down to manpower for us. I’d like to be bigger, about 20 people. I’d like to do more service, establish more service clientele.

What is most satisfying about your business? It’s the relationships. I like working with different people every day. It’s constantly changing and evolving, and I’m not coming back to the same spot. I think it’s the same way with Rob. We’re not constantly coming back to the same waste-treatment plant, the same high school, the same factory.

To nominate a business for Snapshot!, send candidate’s name, place of employment and phone number to Rockford Register Star Business Desk, 99 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61104; fax 815-987-1365; e-mail nlegue@rrstar.com.

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