Schmidt Boat Lifts & Docks
is a family owned and operated company that has been working with waterfront
equipment since 1986. We strive to provide a large selection of quality
products, reasonable prices, and good service provided by qualified,
dedicated staff. If this is what you are looking for, then you’ve come to
the right place.
In 1972, Dennis & Linda
Schmidt purchased Jacobs Barn Equipment
from Linda’s father, Wally. It was renamed Schmidt Barn
Equipment and was operated out of Dennis and Linda’s home for several
years. The company grew rapidly through the 70’s, and many of the first
employees are with the company still today. As the farm industry changed,
the company was renamed in the 80’s to Schmidt Buildings & Equipment to
better describe the many different services offered. Schmidt Buildings &
Equipment specializes in agricultural equipment, construction, concrete
work, and welding fabrication. It was through the welding shop that Schmidt
Boat Lifts & Docks was born.
In 1986, after having not
visited their family cottage for several weeks, Dennis and Linda went there
to find their boat full of water. By the following weekend, Dennis’s
brother, Lyle, had welded the first “Easy Way” boat lift. The following
year the neighbor asked about a lift, and the welding shop fabricated two
units for sale. The boat lift business continued to grow, and we began
working with Hewitt Roll-A-Docks and Lifts, RGC manufacturing, and Eklof
docks – all companies that you will still find in our showroom today.
Through the years we have found that no one manufacturer can manufacture
equipment for every need. Therefore we have added many more well- known
manufacturers like Pier Pleasure, Porta-Dock, and Floe. We have continued
to always watch for better equipment and superior ways of doing things to
make things easier for you, our customers.
In
1998, both the farm business and the waterfront equipment business had grown
enough that more space was needed. Dennis and Linda purchased land and
built the location on Highway 41 in Kaukauna. This provided a badly needed
indoor showroom for the boat lift business along with another growing
division of Schmidt Inc., Schmidt Fence and Deck. In 1999, Schmidt Boat
Lifts & Docks was incorporated. Since that time, several additions to the
41 location have allowed us to now hold the largest inventory of waterfront
equipment in the area. We also have an onsite welding shop, punch presses,
and a cnc custom fence router.
After working in the
company since childhood, Dennis and Linda’s sons, Andy and Neal, began
working into ownership in 2004. Andy works as general manager of all three
companies along with some sales, and Neal works as sales and showroom
manager for Schmidt Boat Lifts & Docks. 
In 2008, Andy and Neal
purchased land for Schmidt Boat Lifts & Dock’s
Lakewood showroom and set up a display
there. In 2009, the new building was
built, and the Lakewood location was opened as a seasonal sales office and
pick-up point. With our family cottage being in that area, we felt that it
was a good place to expand to further assist our customers in that area.
With this new facility, we are even more committed to the boat lift and dock
business, and to you, our valued customer.
From 2004 through 2009,
Schmidt Boat Lifts & Docks has been the Nation’s Largest Hewitt Dealer. We
have been in the top ten RGC dealers, and the top 10 Paddle King dealers.
In order to service our customers better, Schmidt Boat Lifts & Docks
operates a mobile barge service, two jon boats, an atv, portable welders,
and several stocked crew trucks. In addition, we use all of our own staff
that are fully insured, and highly qualified. We have eleven people on our
crews, with an average of 7.5 years of experience. We offer annual
installation and removal services for those who have purchased equipment
here.
