As a teenager, John Trachsel learned the fencing trade from Russellville's Roy Goldammer. His three sons have had the same opportunity, growing up in the family business.
Trachsel Fencing Service opened in 1995 and expanded to be Trachsel Fencing and Bobcat Services in 2005.
Until last May, the storage and specialty work had been done in a modest shop on the family farm.
The Mid-Missouri business' new location in "the dome" east of California on Lookout Trail has tripled the work space, allowing them the opportunity to add a second family business - Trachsel Steel and Welding.
Son J.T. recently earned a business degree from Moberly Area Community College and is now a business partner, responsible for the additional business.
This spring, son Jackson will graduate with a certificate in agri-business from State Fair Community College, Sedalia. Then, he will come into the business full-time, too.
The Trachsel family works cattle on its own farm, so the business is a natural progression, they agreed.
John left the Missouri State Highway Department when he bought the fencing business from his mentor Goldammer.
In 1995, he started with a couple of tractors, a welder and a couple of high school boys to help.
Today, the business has three full-time employees, two part-time and expects to hire more help in the future, Jan said. Their inventory includes two skid steers, two tractors, two portable welders, a hydraulic hammer and a variety of welding equipment.
Until now, most of the fencing has been pre-made commercial pieces. The Trachsels plan to build more specialized items in the future.
The bulk of the work is done on site and John has been adamant he is there to make sure the work is done right, Jan said.
With the addition of their sons full-time, they will be able to take on more jobs in the same amount of time.
"With J.T., we'll have a second set of eyes," she said.
The fencing business is mostly installation of gates, guards and other permanent facilities. They also do replacement work.
The steel and welding business will complement the main business, J.T. said.
"It will be handy for us and for other people," he said.
John said he expects the quality of fencing and rails they will be able to build will be heavier than the commercial products.
The new space will allow them to custom-build a variety of sizes and shapes, Jackson said. Commercial products are limited to standard sizes.
The family is eager to explore what possibilities they will have, now that they have a paint room and space to bend the steel for rounded equipment. In particular, they hope to meet local needs for portable and freestanding equipment.
"It's definitely a niche, the custom part of it," Jan said.
Currently, they are working on a decorative deck handrail, custom-designed from the property owner's photo.
"Anything steel can be welded," J.T. said.
A grand opening is planned later this spring.
"We feel so blessed that we get to work as a family everyday," Jan said. "We have loved spending time with our boys since the minute they were born and that has not changed. It is pretty awesome to now get to spend time with them as adults growing our businesses together.
"California has been good to our business and our family and we are excited to build another business here. Our hope is that we will be able to give back to our community by providing jobs. Trachsel Fencing and Bobcat Service has enjoyed giving back to our schools and being there for the community and Trachsel Steel and Welding is going to allow us to give back even more in the future."
J.T. said he has enjoyed living and working in the rural community and the opportunity to continue doing that through the family business, while also expanding into new avenues with the welding and steel business.
Working in the family business has always been what Jackson wanted to do, he said.
"It's work, but it's fun," Jackson said.
And younger brother, Jaden, enjoys helping with the business on evenings and weekends, he said.
"It's fun to work with the family, the bonding time," Jaden said.
Having family as coworkers also benefits the product.
"We all take pride in what we do and do it to the best of our ability," John said.
Call 573-690-0802 for more information.