PEWAUKEE, WI — In the October 2001 issue of Milwaukee Magazine, the Gustave A. Larson Company was named one of the ten best companies to work for in Wisconsin. The Larson Co., which is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year, is an hvacr equipment distributor with 24 locations serving nine Midwestern states, employing approximately 250 employees. The company began as a small storefront in 1936 in Madison, WI.

The magazine’s survey rated the company second on the list, citing its sensitivity to each individuals’ personal needs, coupled with big-business discipline and tools. The Milwaukee Magazine partnered with MRA: The Management Association Inc., which is a 100-year-old employer association with 2,200 members with firms in Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Together they designed a survey to question companies about their management practices and procedures, including pay and benefits, opportunity for advancement, workplace culture, work-life balance and more.

From the initial responses, high-scoring companies were asked to supply random employee lists where 10 employees were selected from each company for a follow-up telephone survey. Companies were selected on the basis of large companies with 500-plus employees, or mid-sized companies with 101-499 employees.