Our Mission Is To Serve You
Commitment to Product Quality
We lead the industry in high value, PREMIUM QUALITY lighting products. These lamps are specially designed and manufactured under our strict quality controls to save our customer's money in energy, labor and replacement lamp costs.
Commitment to Customer Service
Our North American network of highly trained representatives provide our customers with
the best possible local service. These representatives are backed up by a continent wide telephone WATS system which instantly connects them with some of the top lighting specialists in the industry. We pride ourselves in solving customers' lighting problems
and saving them money.
Commitment to People
ME-DTC is as committed to its people as it is to its customers. We work to create an atmosphere that nurtures growth in our people and promotes long-term family-like relationships. ME-DTC's growth is dependent upon the growth of its people, thus assuring
our customers of a long-term commitment to their lighting needs.
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History
Maintenance Engineering was founded on
January 17, 1974, in Fargo ND, by co-owners Curt Kesselring and Dennis Leno.
Curt, who serves as President, worked his way through college selling Fuller Brush and graduated with degrees in math and physics. He is responsible for overall company operations, including product development, marketing support and sales support.
Dennis is Vice President and has extensive sales experience ranging from
life insurance sales to furniture sales to lighting sales. Dennis is responsible for
sales training and management.
Both men grew up on farms in North Dakota. Their attitudes and philosophies about
hard work can be credited to their agricultural heritage. Today, those lessons learned
on the farm carry over to building the largest and finest,
Premium Quality Lighting Company in the nation!
Curt and Dennis met while working for a shopping mall development company.
Many nights were spent sharing business ideas and getting to know each other's strengths. When the development company began experiencing difficulties, they were forced to look
for other job opportunities. A short time later Dennis called Curt to tell him about a new business idea. Dennis' idea was to start a company selling high quality light bulbs.
He went on to explain that he had spent some time selling lighting for an industrial
lighting company and had experienced great success. Unfortunately,
this company, too, was going out of business.
The lighting company they founded provides a product that everyone needs, plus solves
the burnout problems most people experience with their current lighting. Curt's math and physics background convinced them that a product could be made, that would last longer
than what most companies were offering. Dennis' commitment to the needs of his
customers was the basis and foundation Maintenance Engineering was built on,
Premium Quality Products and Service!
The name, Maintenance Engineering, was chosen because of the Company's focus on maintenance engineers, the people who would benefit most from lighting products that
last longer, solve problems and increase their productivity.
The Company's first office was in Curt's basement, but was soon moved to rented stalls
in a large warehouse. As the Company grew, more spaces were rented and walls were
moved until the whole warehouse was occupied by the ever-expanding Company. In 1983
the Company was again experiencing space problems and the decision was made to
custom build an office complex. Some of the features they required in their new office were: plenty of land for future expansion, a working atmosphere that employees would enjoy,
a design where productivity and efficiency would be paramount, and a building of which everyone could be proud. Their office complex is a tremendous source of pride and
includes a kitchen, dining area and a complete fitness facility. The fitness facility, which
is open for all employees, salespeople and their families, includes an aerobics room,
a running track and exercise room with all types of exercise equipment.
As M.E. grew, it was discovered that shipping products from Fargo, ND to locations throughout the United States was becoming more and more difficult. In 1979 the warehouse was moved to Chicago. Chicago was chosen because of its central location and the fact
that it is served by virtually every shipping company in the nation. As the Company
continued to grow, again the distribution center was moved to a larger warehouse in
Dolton, IL. In 1999 the distribution center was moved into a new state of the art
warehousing facility, custom built for the needs of a fast growing Company.
Our new distribution center is located in Homewood, IL (a suburb of Chicago).
While there is more land for future growth, this warehouse is designed to hold
3 times more product than the old warehouse.
The new warehouse includes a quality control test
lab that ensures only Premium Quality Products are received by
Maintenance Engineering customers.
Service ranks equally as high as quality on M.E.'s priority list. The Company's order processing systems are designed to provide fast, friendly and accurate service to all customers. Each order is faxed to the home office the same day it's written. The order is
then quickly processed and electronically transmitted to the Chicago Distribution Center for shipment within 24 hours of receipt from the salesperson or customer. This allows M.E. customers to receive their products within one to four days.
While Maintenance Engineering does not manufacture its own products, they do have
them manufactured to their exacting specifications, by the best manufacturers throughout
the world. If the product does not meet the standards required after being quality tested in
the Chicago or Fargo test labs, it is rejected and sent back to the manufacturer and
an alternate manufacturer is then utilized.
In 2000 Maintenance Engineering acquired Duro Test Canada, a 47 year old company that shares Maintenance Engineering’s commitment to product quality and service.
Headquarters for the company are located in Toronto, Ontario, where they have their
offices and warehouse. The company is under the leadership of Tony Mastrovito, President.
The attitudes and beliefs that Curt and Dennis founded the Company on have caused Maintenance Engineering to become the #1 Premium Quality Industrial Lighting Company
in the nation. Their commitment to quality is reflected in the company's long-term repeat customers, their sales force and their employees, and in their first rate facilities. These principles insure a solid and profitable future for Maintenance Engineering,
their employees and salespeople.
An article about the company was written several years ago and published in a local magazine called The Binford Guide. The article on Maintenance Engineering in the issue shown here has been updated since it was originally written. The complete issue of The Guide is shown here. In order to view The Binford Guide and read the article, just [click here].
