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The husband-wife team of Jerry and Diane Grau Schierding started Gateway Panel, located off of Ehlmann Road at 3300 Panel Road, in 2002. Since then the company has become one of the area’s leading manufacturers of building components, including a variety of pre-fabricated wall and floor systems and metal truss systems.

The company has worked on a number of highly visible projects in the area, including the Embassy Suites hotel. But the firm is doing an increasing amount of business outside Missouri.  Gateway has seen its annual gross revenue rise from $450,000 in 2002 to approximately $11 million in 2005.

The company started with five workers and now employs close to 60 at its 94,000-square-foot plant.  The company picks up the entire tab for workers’ health coverage, and that of their family members.

Employees are encouraged to cross train on equipment located throughout the manufacturing plant. Specific training and certification is offered in welding, forklift operations and equipment maintenance, and the company offers flexible work hours to employees who want to continue their education at St. Charles Community College or other institutions.  The training and educational opportunities not only makes employees more valuable to Gateway, but more desirable commodities in the marketplace.

The company values input from employees. Management regularly seeks advice from employees about how to improve the manufacturing process, and rewards good ideas with bonuses and gift certificates.

Also, recycling is encouraged at the workplace and proceeds from the sale of recyclable materials pays for employee appreciation luncheons, catered by local restaurants. The monthly luncheons allow employees and senior managers to mingle and tighten the “family bond” the Schierdings worked hard to create.

Gateway is one place where you won’t hear the bosses grumbling about their workforce. “They come here to work and they do work!” Diane said about her employees.

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