Hartland & Wilken Custom Heating, Cooling, Plumbing recently had the privilege of engaging with the bright minds at Fremont Ross After School Program on 11/6.

Brad Brown, an industry veteran since graduating from Fremont Ross in 1992, shared insightful perspectives on entering the trades, emphasizing the potential income without a college degree. He shed light on the daily experiences of plumbers, highlighting the immediate career opportunities available to high school graduates. Jake Wilken, a fifth-generation sheet metal worker, provided a glimpse into his generational journey in the trades, delving into the challenges and triumphs of his 26+ years as an HVAC owner. Having joined Hartland over six years ago, Jake added the Wilken legacy to the company's name. In the spring of 2020, Brad was approached to launch the Plumbing division of Hartland Wilken Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing.

The students displayed remarkable engagement, posing insightful questions that showcased their knowledge. Hartland & Wilken is grateful for the chance to inspire these young minds and currently employs eight graduates from Fremont Ross. Special thanks to The After School Program for this invaluable opportunity.

BA Marketing SolutionsDecember 1, 2023Fremont Ohio, Fremont, Ohio, HVAC, Plumbing

Local Family Celebrates Over 100 Years of Service

Wilken family is grateful for community support & loyalty

Sandusky, Ohio

“It’s a humbling experience to serve our community as a 5th generation business owner. There’s a huge responsibility to uphold my family’s reputation as we are providing services to my dad’s… dad’s… dad’s… dad’s customers and families! I’m thankful for the community's support and all of our customers that have been an integral part of building a great environment for our staff.”
- Jake Wilken of Hartland & Wilken Custom Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing

The family connection is so strong it is felt by anyone who has the pleasure of meeting the Wilkens that you’ll never feel like a stranger to them. The family and team are especially appreciative of the support of the Sandusky Register, offering various platforms to grow business and relationships throughout the community.

With over 100 years in business and local service - the Wilken family is no stranger to this growing and supportive community. The foundation has only grown stronger with the restructure and beautification of the downtown area of Sandusky. The work of the committees and local governments, as well as business owners throughout the area, have brought with them more opportunity than ever before. Additionally, the merger with Hartland Mechanical in 2018, made it possible to strengthen the relationship with two family businesses, as well as adding jobs to bring their employment up to more than 50 people. The Wilkens are proud to be a 5th generation family-owned staple on Monroe St and on Rt. 250.

Though the exact date of opening the Wilken business isn’t known, as records have since been lost or destroyed, founder, Jacob Wilken passed it to his son Carl Sr. who then passed the torch to his namesake, Carl Jr. Then, Carl Jr’s son, David took over in the 80’s, passing it down as tradition to his son Jake in ‘95. Jake Wilken is the 5th generation running this family operation, with intentions to eventually see his children continue in his path.

The Hartland team hopes to continue growing and expanding in order to help the local economy and families. There’s not a single person on this team who doesn’t make you feel like you belong there, and that’s the kind of love we need to see more of in this world.