He began selling Anchor chain link fence out of his home in Fairview Heights while working at the packing house. After graduating from Belleville East Tom (Junior) began working for his dad while attending St. He worked for his Dad through Pharmacy school. After 4 years of Pharmacy School, he chose to work for the family business instead of pursuing Pharmacy as his career. In 1986, Tom gave his Da
d the choice of selling the business to him or he would go to work for another (fence) company. With that choice, his Dad sold the business and the warehouse to Tom. Upon the close of the business deal, his Dad said “you will never make it.”
Tom, after buying the business began to specialize more in residential/decorative fencing opposed to the prior chain link and a small percentage of aluminum and wood. Eventually, Tom chose to sell strictly residential, opting also out of commercial work. In 1989, Patty began working with Tom in the business. It went from $100,000 in gross sales in 1986 to $1,000,000 in sales in 1994. The business was run from the office in their home until 2002. Blessed with a good economy and working well together, sales kept rising yearly. In 2006, the year prior to the recession, the business grossed almost $3,000,000. On March 14th, 2014, Tom and Patty sold the business to Scott and Bud Jacob. Scott and Bud enlisted the help of longtime friend and business associate, Tim Haug to take over as General Manager. Enjoying the business and the customers, Tom and Patty wanted to continue to be involved with the company. This transition has worked well for everyone involved. Scott, Bud and Tim are looking forward to the next step in the company’s history.
