For this month’s Member Spotlight, we connected with John Baker, President and CEO of CW Suter in Sioux City, IA, to learn more about his company, his leadership approach, and what it means to be one of our newest members.

Company Background & Story

How did your company get started, and how has it evolved over the years?

CW Suter Services was established in 1926 by Charles W Suter. EB Baker bought out the company in 1981. In 2023, we became a 100% employee-owned company and now serve residential and commercial HVAV and plumbing customers in Sioux City, Spencer, Sheldon, Spirit Lake, and Yankton. 

What’s one thing people might not know about your company’s history?

We have an accredited apprenticeship program, Suter University, that is registered with the US Department of Labor. We currently have 81 students/employees enrolled in the free program to get their Journeymen's license. 

Company Culture

How would you describe your company culture in just a few words?

A supportive, growth-oriented environment focused on collaboration and impact.

What traditions or values are most important to your team?

Collaborative, supportive, and customer oriented. We continually coach our employees to be better at their jobs than they were the day before while also enhancing their personal lives.

Recent Wins & Highlights

What recent accomplishment or milestone stands out to you?

We recently acquired a well-known HVAC and plumbing company in Sheldon, IA. We are happy to have this team on board and serve another community!

Is there a project or success story that best represents your work this year?

We have been selected as the mechanical contractor for the new Sioux Bee Honey corporate office and plant expansion in Sioux City, Iowa.

Involvement in The Unified Group

What value have you gained from participating in Unified Group events or forums?

We have met some of the smartest people in the mechanical contracting industry. We are learning how to implement a prefab plumbing shop, learning more about captive insurance plans, enhancing our HR department, and improving our BIM capabilities. We have also implemented a team concept in our service department to enhance our ability to provide outstanding customer service and improve the culture.

Which resources, relationships, or programs have been most impactful?

I have met so many people who are open to sharing what processes work best for them, and we have implemented many of these ideas, making our company better than it was before we joined Unified Group. The forums that my team has attended were very informative and thought-provoking.

Looking Ahead

What goals or initiatives are you excited about in the next year?

1.      Implementing our new bonus plan for every employee2.      Start a prefab plumbing shop3.      Fully implement the accountability chart at all 5 locations

Where do you see the biggest opportunities for your company moving forward?

1.      Keep educating our team about the ESOP and how it impacts them individually2.      Make sure the Suter University curriculum is educating our team, utilizing the latest technology3.      Have my exit strategy in place.