In the early 1920's, George Hauenstein of New Ulm, Minnesota sold weatherstripping for wood storm windows throughout seven cold-weather states in the upper midwest. A close personal friend, Otto Burmeister held the patent for double hung aluminum storm windows. Together they formed Hauenstein & Burmeister, Inc. (H&B), located in Minneapolis, providing residential homeowners both options for improving the energy efficient of windows. During the Great Depression, H&B focused on helping public facilities (schools, courthouses) to make improvements. Hauenstein & Burmeister, Inc. became one of the first distributors and installers of acoustical ceilings to reduce noise in schools, churches and public buildings. Later during World War II, H&B expanded its capabilities by manufacturing wooden ammunition boxes and purchasing a metal fabrication shop to manufacture airplane hangar doors. As a result, the company started manufacturing elevator entrances along with hollow metal and other metal specialties.

  In 1953, H&B entered the custom passenger elevator cab and entrance business, building a new and expanded facility in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They also acquired exclusive franchises to provide school districts with furniture, casework and specialty equipment.

  The high-rise construction market started booming in the early 1970's, allowing H&B to open an elevator manufacturing plant in Odessa, Texas. When the building trend slowed dramatically later this decade, H&B was forced to close the recently opened plant in Texas. But H&B stayed in the building market developing many new customer relationships.

  The early 1980's showed massive growth in building construction, allowing H&B to expand their business. H&B is now able to supply materials for larger jobs, both stock and custom. Hauenstein & Burmeister, Inc. started manufacturing and installing prefabricated panels for exterior construction, including wintertime installation. The concept is ahead of its time and this business is sold in 1989.

  In the early 1990's, H&B refocuses the company on four core businesses:

  • Manufacturing of elevator cabs & entrances
  • Contracting for interior construction
  • Fabrication of hollow metal
  • Specialized products for institutions

  Today, H&B has the reputation of being the premier manufacturer of custom passenger elevator cabs and entrances throughout the world. Our objective is, pure and simple, to meet your demand for architectural beauty and quality in vertical transportation. We are the leader in changing architects' and customers' ideas into reality. Through our CAD capabilities and engineering experience and combined with superior old-world craftsmanship on our shop floor H&B delivers the best in the industry.