BELLE FOURCHE—The July Chamber Mixer was hosted by E & M Steel Products on Monday, July 13, beginning at 4:30 p.m. The temperature outside was high, but that didn’t stop other Chamber members from making the trip out to the company to enjoy some networking and visiting with other business members from the area.
E & M Steel Products started out as two friends joining together 17 years ago to make some extra money and has grown into a family-owned, thriving full-time business. “So, it started out with Wayne Eaton and I, we built the company—but it was just a small side job company. We both had full-time jobs,” explained Brad Manke, owner. “It started out as E & M Pipe Sales, and then we turned it into E & M Steel—it was more of a broad range of numerous products.”
Then, two years ago Brad bought out Wayne’s half of the company and he and his wife Alix run the business together now. “We’ve just been growing it ever since,” said Brad. “We just took a small backyard business and tried to turn it into something bigger.”
And that they did! What started as a side job has grown into a full-time operation serving customers throughout the 200-mile radius of Belle Fourche, including Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.
The business offers a variety of quality steel products. “We have your fencing supplies, feeders, calf shelters and we do a lot of storage containers. Storage containers are probably 40-50 percent of our business. We do a lot of container mods—build offices out of them. We build break rooms. We’ve actually got a full house that we just got finished that we rent out as an Airbnb,” shared Brad. “We’re on track to do over 500 containers this year.”
Brad prides himself on his involvement in the business and tries to stay involved in all aspects of it. He explains he is able to keep the prices stable because he is aware of the margins. “In this small area, ranchers want to deal with the owner. They don’t want to deal with the employees—nothing against employees—we can’t do what we do without them. But I mean a handshake, I mean a man’s word. A rancher wants to come in, negotiate, shake your hand, and know the deal is sealed and know it’s good,” said Brad.
In addition to running the business, the couple has five boys, Wally, Vinny, Patrick, Porter and Marek, ranging in ages from 5 to 19. The oldest son works with his mom and dad at E & M Steel.
Those who came out to the Chamber Mixer were treated to PooterMac, a brisket and macaroni and cheese dish catered by PooterQ Barbeque. A variety of cold drinks were available as well as an assortment of desserts. The hosts offered door prizes as well.
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michaela Horn conducted the Connect and Collect. “We wanted to say a special thank you to Brad and Alix of E & M Steel Products for hosting tonight,” she said. “A special thank you to everyone who made it out in the heat today!”
New this month was a double drawing. The Chamber did two Connect and Collect drawings, the first one was for the total pot of money, $420, followed by a second chance drawing for half of the pot if the winner of the first drawing is absent. The drawing is only open to Chamber members and they must be present to win. If nobody is present for either drawing, the money will roll over to next month’s Chamber Mixer.
The first business drawn was High Plains Restaurant. No one from the business was at the Mixer, so on to the second chance drawing. For the second drawing, Outlaw Bar was picked. Once again, no one from the business was at the Mixer, so the total pot of cash will be available for another drawing next month.
The August Chamber Mixer will be hosted by Buck N’ Broncs Car Wash together with Highmark Credit Union on August 20. Beginning at 4:30 p.m. and running through 6:30 p.m. at the Buck N’ Broncs Car Wash, the public is invited to join.
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