As the calendar turns to 2009, area businesses are hoping for a better year than 2008. With high gas prices throughout much of the year, declining customer confidence, and less disposable income, businesses across the country have suffered financially. One Altoona business, however, is looking forward to a prosperous new year as it continues its long tradition of success.

    Altoona-based J&D Manufacturing, which manufactures and distributes agricultural and industrial ventilation equipment, has been in existence since 1981. The company, started by brothers Don and Jerry Redetzke, initially focused on manufacturing cow stalls for barns.  After Jerry Redetzke left the business to pursue the car racing profession, Don’s wife Diana joined the company.  The product line then expanded to include stall clamps, barn cleaner chains, and ventilation fans.  
   The company continues to be family-owned, as Town of Washington resident Tracy Trippler, the daughter of Don and Diana, serves as president. Her husband, Scott, serves as vice president.
   When asked about the recent economic news in the nation, Tracy said that J&D Manufacturing has been fortunate.
   “We have heard a lot about the economic conditions in the country, but we haven’t seen a lot of it happening here,” she stated. 
   The company relies heavily on the agricultural industry and many small family farms are going out of business.
   “We are now working with farms that have thousands of cows, instead of the hundred cows that are typical of family farms,” Trippler explained. “These large business enterprises are still getting funding from banks and still buying our products… In fact, we actually had record sales in 2008.”
   Looking ahead to 2009, Trippler is realistic in her predictions for the company. 
   “We expect that the first quarter of 2009 will be a bit soft,” she said. As the year continues, Trippler is hopeful that the family business will continue to be successful.  “Right now, the economic conditions are not affecting our business as much as others.”
   Although companies such as J&D Manufacturing may be doing fairly well in these tough economic conditions, polls show that other business leaders may not be nearly as optimistic for the new year.
   According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, a survey conducted in November showed that many business leaders in the Ninth District of the Federal Reserve System, which includes Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and twenty-six counties (includng Eau Claire) in northwestern Wisconsin, believe that the upcoming year will not be a bright one for local businesses. Items considered in the survey included business investment and employment and consumer spending. The majority of respondents indicated that they see all of these items being reduced during 2009.   
   Survey respondents also indicated that many foresee a continuing recession into 2009. Specifically, 63 percent of northwestern Wisconsin business leaders are anticipating a continued economic downturn, compared with 85 percent in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.     
   Despite regional trends, J&D Manufacturing will continue to do what it has always done – work hard to get the job done, and keep an eye on the future.
   “We haven’t had to do any adjustments yet,” said Trippler, explaining that the company continues to employ approximately 80 people and grows to 100 employees during the summer months, the company’s busiest time.