By Chad Koenen

Publisher

If you think about floating in the water on a tropical island, Henning may not be the first place that comes to mind. In fact, despite being just miles from many of the better than 1,000 lakes in Otter Tail County, there isn’t actually a lake or tropical oasis within the boundaries of the City of Henning.  ¶  The owners of Maui Welding and Pontoon want to change that notion and make Henning a place where customers and residents come to make their dream of owning an island on the water a reality.  ¶  “I always think of a pontoon as an island and what better island is there than Maui,” said Neal.  

¶  The new business, which opened in the former McCollough Welding and North Star Welding location on Inman St. in town, is operated by Neal Biermaier, as well as Jake and Jasmine Biermaier. The business specializes in power sports, including building new pontoons, but they also can fix just about any metal and aluminum products that McCollough Welding became known for over the years. 

Whether it is farm equipment, trailers, boats and even a quick repair to items around the house, Maui Welding and Pontoon is there for all new builds and repairs big or small.

“We pride ourself on customer service,” said Neal. “If you need it built, it doesn’t matter how big or small, we will do it.”

In the shop, Neal said Maui Welding and Pontoon has added a number of new and upgraded pieces of equipment for fabrication. He said his son Jake, who is a partner in the new business, specializes in welding and manufacturing of items big and small. Jake’s wife Jasmine is also a mainstay in the welding shop to make it truly a family affair. 

Since taking over the business earlier this year, Neal said he has heard from a number of people who didn’t think Maui Welding and Pontoon still worked on farm equipment and repairing of broken equipment. He said the business may have Maui and power sports in its name, but it still works on all of the same items customers have become accustomed to seeing at a welding shop in Henning for generations.

“I had a lot of people come in after we bought it who said ‘do you still do that,’” he said. 

On the power sports side, Neal worked for over 20 years in the power sports industry and has a vast knowledge of building new pontoons, to making necessary repairs to keep the power sport item on the water for another year. They buy, sell and trade used items including everything from jet skis to pontoons and trailers. 

The new business also builds a new pontoon for approximately $20,000 that can become a new island on the sun. Neal said the standard pontoon comes with a trailer and boat motor and is essentially an everyday-mans pontoon. The standard pontoon can be customized to add more bells and whistles to better-fit the needs of their customers. 

“We have a standard set up, but we can customize it,” said Neal. “As far as pontoons, we have the most economical price in the whole area. It’s kind of the blue collar pontoon.”

  Maui Welding and Pontoon is located at 1004 Inman St. in Henning. The shop is open five days a week for repairs, custom fabricating and power sport sales. The facility also sells sheets of steel and aluminum as well. For more information, stop by the shop or call 583-4308.