History of Culligan Water Conditioning Products, Inc of Green Bay, WI

After serving in the US Navy during World War II on a troop landing ship, Harold Metzner came back Illinois to further his education. He earned his college degree by working days and going to night school.

In 1952 Harold was hired at one of the first Culligan franchises, in Wheaton, Ill., as a salesman. After a short time Harold became the sales manager for that franchise.

In 1958 an opportunity arose to start a Culligan "Products Only Franchise" (selling automatic and manual water conditioners) in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The understanding was that the existing Culligan dealer would not be the "Culligan Man" anymore but that Harold Metzner would be. So, in the summer of 1958, Harold, his wife Marjorie, and 3 children (Mark, Marcia, and David) moved to Green Bay.

Our first building was shared with a local ice cream parlor (Dehn's Ice Cream) at the intersection of East Mason St. and Monroe St. in Green Bay. After only 5 years in business the company needed more building space.

In 1963 Harold then moved his company to a larger building in Ashwaubenon at 753 Potts Ave. by Lambeau Field.

In April 1966, Harold formed his company into a C corporation and registered it in the State of Wisconsin. Mark Metzner, then in 6th grade, began working part time in the tank plant at night regenerating the portable exchange tanks.

After graduation in 1970, Mark Metzner became a full time route / serviceman and in 1981 became Vice President of the Corporation.

As the company grew, again more space was needed. In 1987 Culligan Water Conditioning Products, Inc. purchased the adjacent building at 755 Potts Ave., remodeled it and made it the Corporate office.

In June of 1993, Mark Metzner entered into an agreement with Harold to purchase part of the company. In November of the same year Mark Metzner became President of Culligan Water Conditioning Products, Inc.

By March of 1999, the Company needed more building space and by November moved into it's present location at 310 S. Oneida St. in Green Bay, WI.