In 1912, Hershel Vern "H.V." Tennant started General Engineering Company in Portage, WI. He made significant contributions to the Portage Levee Committee and was "the backbone of the levee system as we know it today".

During the 1920's General Engineering Company continued to grow. The original Portage Curling Rink and the Fox River Bridge in Pardeeville are just a few projects that were completed in the 1920's.

During the 1930's an increase in environmental awareness inspired many communities to upgrade their wastewater treatment methods. In 1933 General Engineering Company designed the City of Tomah's Waste Water Treatment System, which began General Engineering's expertise in wastewater treatment.

During the 1940's General Engineering Company designed the first single pedestal water spheroid tank in the State of Wisconsin for the Village of Coloma, which is still in use today. Other area communities followed with similar structures including the Village of Granton, Cottage Grove and Fall River.

During the 1950's General Engineering Company moved to a new location in downtown Portage. The firm continued to gain clients in the counties around Portage and throughout the State. At Lac de Flambeau in Menominee County, General Engineering Company designed sewerage facilities for the US Indian Agency in the reservations.

During the 1960's the demand for sewerage systems and stabilization lagoon treatment facilities increased and General Engineering Company designed and oversaw construction for communities as far away as Webster, Minong, Crivitz and Wausaukee.

During the 1970's General Engineering Company continued to foster their relationship with their Michigan clients as well as increase their client base in the state of Wisconsin. This decade provided General Engineering with extensive experience in civil engineering projects including sewer and water planning, wastewater treatment facility design, subdivision development, and municipal building design, to name a few.

In the early 1980's, General Engineering Company once again moved to a new location, providing the company with additional space for expansion. This would prove to be the home office for General Engineering for the next 22 years.

In the late 1990's General Engineering established a new division expanding their services. The Building Inspection Division was created to work with municipalities as well as commercial and residential owners. We operate as an effective outsource for all municipal inspection needs (construction, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and commercial). Currently the Building Inspection Division provides inspections for over 70 communities.

The 2000's found General Engineering expanding rapidly, thus initiating a move to its present location at 916 Silver Lake Drive, Portage, WI in 2005. Today General Engineering Company is staffed by professional - engineers, architects, building inspectors, funding specialists, technicians, and support staff - with many years of experience. Our best advertising has been satisfied clients. As a result, we have experienced solid growth through expanding our role with existing clients and referrals, in addition to providing excellent personal and professional service to new customers.

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