1. 60 Business People, July 2010 Business People, July 2010 61
article by Chris Randolph
photography by Steve Vorderman
eventeen years ago Mike
Oetting wanted a change.
He had a good, salaried job
in the highway construction
industry that included solid
benefits and predictable work, but he
wanted more. In 1993, after studying his
current industry and determining what
type of service would enhance it, Oetting
left to start his own business: Summit
Sweeping Services.
Summit Sweeping began as a
response to what Oetting saw as a basic
industry need: Construction crews
could often do their jobs quickly and
effectively, but cleanup was another
matter. Summit Sweeping cleans streets,
construction sites, shopping mall
parking areas and special event areas.
Additionally, the company offers total
property management including lawn
maintenance, signage, parking bumper
blocks and vacancy inspections.
With a fleet of high performance
equipment that functions with minimal
noise and environmentally friendly options,
Summit Sweeping operates day and night,
364 days a year to maintain customer
facilities and service the contractors.
But the business of cleanup can be a
challenging one. Industry changes and
the economy have forced the company to
improvise and develop patience, but patience
often leads to greater things down the road.
Much of Summit Sweeping’s machinery that
supported local auto industry manufacturing
and warehousing is currently idle, but is not
likely to remain so forever. Oetting is working
to modify the machines and procedures to
make them relevant, even crucial, in new
manufacturing environments.
“We are seeing changes in the way new
industrial floors are installed. Many new
floors require an acid etch process before
an epoxy application, thus eliminating
static shock potential” Oetting says. “We’re
working with contractors to perfect a
process of acid application and cleanup
using our idled equipment. The new
process significantly reduces manpower
and preparation time and thus speeds
production. Once we have it in place, we
Employing quick response and forward thinking
eventeen years ago Mike
Oetting wanted a change.
He had a good, salaried job
in the highway construction
industry that included solid
benefits and predictable work, but he
Mike Oetting, owner