A business that has been in Morden for six decades and is into a third generation of being family-owned and operated is receiving special recognition from the Morden Chamber of Commerce.
Fehr Glass and Aluminum is receiving a special Lifetime Achievement Award at the chamber’s annual business gala this week.
Scott Fehr of Fehr Glass is the third generation to run the family business, which has been operating for 60 years
“I can’t take all the credit for it, obviously,” said president Scott Fehr. “It’s pretty special to be part of that and to be involved in a business that’s been around for 60 years.
“Lots of emotions have gone through my mind here,” he added. “it’s pretty special.”
Fehr thought of his grandfather Bill, who started the business and then passed it down to his sons Abe (Scott’s father), Vic, and Bob.
“My grandpa passed away when I was just a baby, so I never got the chance to meet him … or least I don’t remember him,” Fehr shared. “I’m assuming his work ethic was very good, obviously, to start a business and to grow it up to the point where you can expand. And that work ethic was passed on to his kids.
“My dad would tell me stories about the second generation coming in and we would grow the business to a point where it would kind of run itself,” said Fehr. “A lot of times, a third generation might come in and make bad decisions … so it put a lot of pressure on my shoulders to keep growing the business and not screw it up.”
There obviously have been changes over the years, such as incorporating new computer technology, but they generally don’t use a lot of tech otherwise.
“The world we live in now is so much less paper,” said Fehr, noting even the second generation of the family still long relied simply on paperwork.
What has remained consistent is the commitment to quality and service “to deliver that quality product to the customers … and even when there are issues with it to honour the warranty and make the problem correct again.”
He doesn’t see the business changing much looking ahead.
“Right now, there’s no thought for expansion. We’re just trying to keep up with the new products that are out there in the lines of windows and doors,” said Fehr.
“We don’t do a lot of manufacturing here, so it’s really tough to think about expanding, unless we would get into something completely different … that’s not really on my plate.”
Fehr said he is very glad to be doing business here in Morden.
“I’ve been here my whole life, so I kind of enjoy the small town community. That’s pretty important to me. I feel connected to Morden and the surrounding areas too.”
