Minnesot & Wisconsin’s Leader in Turnkey Framing & Truss Solutions

Wall panels, trusses, and turnkey framing packages – built with precision, backed by 45+ years, and delivered on time.

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JL Schwieters is Minnesota and western wisconsin’s foremost provider of framing solutions

For over 45 years, we've redefined what's possible in wood framing by combining innovative construction methods with a highly skilled workforce. From wall panels to trusses to turnkey framing packages, every solution we deliver is built on precision, efficiency, and collaboration.

Today, we're proud to partner with production builders, multifamily developers, commercial contractors, and custom home builders across Minnesota and Wisconsin — backed by 400+ employees and one of the most advanced manufacturing campuses in the region.

Sales team JL Schwieters leadership and manufacturing team outside their Hugo, Minnesota facility'at front door of manufacturing building
management team making decisions

our mission & Vision

Our vision is to set the standard for wood-based framing technology, becoming the foremost provider of framing solutions in Minnesota and Wisconsin. With 45+ years of industry experience infused into every package, we aspire to be recognized as the pinnacle of excellence.

We achieve this by attracting and retaining the most highly skilled and trained carpenters in the region, establishing ourselves as the premier framing company to work for. Through unwavering dedication to innovation, craftsmanship, and safety, we lead the way in shaping the future of framing services.

SAfety built into every project

One of the only framing companies in Minnesota using safety poles on every job site.

JL Schwieters equips our projects with safety poles — secure tie-off points that significantly reduce fall risk for crews working at height. Combined with OSHA-trained crews and continuous safety oversight in both manufacturing and the field, our approach to jobsite safety is built in, not bolted on.

for our crews:

We pay you to be safe. Safety poles, hands-on training, and active oversight mean protection comes first — never an afterthought.

for builders

Fewer incidents. Lower risk exposure. A framing partner who takes safety as seriously as schedule — which matters as much on a commercial or multifamily job as it does on a single-family home.

OUR HISTORY

  • JL Schwieters Company truck is loaded with trusses ready to go

    1980

    JL Schwieters was founded by John & Leo Schwieters in 1980. Today, John remains the sole owner, and has grown the company to over 400 employees.

  • lead floor panel designer works at computer with 3D rendering of a house and plans on the screen

    1984

    In 1984, J Schwieters celebrated the signing of our first Commercial Project, diversifying our portfolio to include both Residential & Commercial projects.

  • up close photo of a forklift cab, showing the steering wheel, gages, and other equipment

    1995

    In 1995, John purchased Builders Equipment Company (BEC) - a Pettibone Forklift Dealer. Purchasing BEC allows us to provide the latest and greatest forklifts & equipment on all of our job sites.

  • Stair components unloaded at a residential job site, ready to be installed

    1998

    Pioneering the way, we started Component Manufacturing in 1998. With the purchase of our first CNC Saw, we began cutting stair stringers & building Stair Components.

  • inside manufacturing facility, zooming in on "JLS" logo on the wall

    1999

    Home Sweet Hugo - with direct access to the railway spur and room to grow operations, John made Hugo, MN home. Utilizing precut stringers, we were able to offer Stair Components on our job sites.

  • floor panels are unloaded by a foreman in a forklift to be immediately installed on a multifamily project

    2002

    In 2002, our first bundle of wall panels went out to a job site. Having an in-house installation team was instrumental in allowing us to develop a perfected process of providing Wall Panel Packages to our customers.

  • Stair cube being assembled in hugo manufacturing facility

    2003

    In 2003, JL Schwieters celebrated the opening of our first facility - our Wall Panel Manufacturing Shop. We also celebrated receiving our first railway car of material. Today, we receive multiple railcars of material a week.

  • birds eye view of JL Schwieters hugo campus at sunrise

    2005

    J Schwieters celebrated the opening of our In-House Lumberyard, the 4th DE building on our Campus. Keeping the resource in-house helps us meet our goal of providing our customers with one point of contact for all their framing contracting needs.

  • floor panel being assembled in hugo at our manufacturing facility

    2017

    JL Schwieters introduced Floor Panels to our Residential Job Sites in 2017.With a few ears and persistent design development, Floor Panels were approved for Commercial Job Sites as well.

  • exterior shot of truss manufacturing facility with tree in front corner

    2019

    With the opening of our newest facility, we expanded into Truss Manufacturing. With all our resources in-house, we are able to provide Turnkey Framing Solutions to Builders & Contractors in the Metro.

  • exterior wall panel on second floor townhome being installed by jl schwieters framing crew

    2022

    To meet growing demand and support the next phase of automated manufacturing, JL Schwieters breaks ground on a new facility in Hugo, Minnesota — built to house a fully automated wall panel line.

  • 2023

    Our new facility in Hugo, Minnesota opened as planned, bringing our automated Weinmann panel line online and significantly expanding our wall panel manufacturing capacity. The investment positioned JL Schwieters as one of the few framing companies in the state with fully automated wall panel production.

Meet Our Team

  • Headshot of Pat Schwieters General Manager of JL Schwieters

    Pat Schwieters

    GENERAL MANAGER

    Pat leads JL Schwieters with a focus on growth, innovation, and operational excellence. With over two decades in construction management and a degree in Construction Management from the University of Minnesota, he drives strategic initiatives. Pat’s leadership ensures we continue setting the standard for framing solutions in Minnesota. Outside of work, he enjoys hunting and spending time with his wife and two sons.

  • Headshot of Blake Schwieters Truss and Wall Panel Plant Manager at JL Schwieters Construction

    Blake Schwieters

    PLANT MANAGER

    Blake oversees all prefab operations at JL Schwieters, ensuring efficiency, quality, and safety across our manufacturing processes. A Purdue University Mechanical Engineering graduate, Blake joined the company in 2013 and has been instrumental in implementing continuous improvement strategies, including the successful launch of our new truss division. His leadership keeps our production team aligned with our mission of framing excellence.

  • Headshot of Jim Wenker, Production Manager at JL Schwieters Construction

    Jim Wenker

    PRODUCTION MANAGER

    Jim started as a carpenter in 1984 and has over 35 years with JL Schwieters. Now Production Manager, he bridges design and field teams to ensure projects meet architectural standards and are delivered with quality craftsmanship. Jim’s vast experience in the field makes him the “go to” for new foremen in the field.

  • Cory Hemme, Truss Operations Manager at JL Schwieters Smiles for a Headshot

    Cory Hemme

    TRUSS OPERATIONS MANAGER

    Cory brings 20+ years of truss industry expertise, with a degree in Architectural Construction Technology and Estimating from St. Cloud Technical College. He leads our truss design and production teams to deliver precise, dependable truss packages.

  • Headshot of Ryan Spanier the Production Manager at JL Schwieters Construction

    Ryan Spanier

    PRODUCTION MANAGER

    Since joining in 1999, Ryan has progressed from Personnel Director to Production Manager. A St. John’s University graduate, he ensures projects stay on schedule and within budget, overseeing field documentation and workflows.

  • Headshot of Leslie Grays the Accounting Manager at JL Schwieters Construction

    Leslie Grays

    ACCOUNTING MANAGER

    Leslie has been with JL Schwieters since 1989 as the company’s first administrative hire. Now Accounting Manager, she oversees accounts receivable, payable, payroll, and financial operations. Leslie is a huge sports fan, but her favorite is watching her daughter play soccer.

  • Headshot of Kyle Shufelt Safety Director at JL Schwieters Construction

    Kyle Shufelt

    SAFETY DIRECTOR

    Kyle joined as a field carpenter in 1993 after completing the Carpentry Program at Dakota County Technical College. He holds an Advanced Safety Certificate from the National Safety Council and is a certified OSHA Construction Outreach Trainer, committed to ensuring safety across all job sites.

why builders choose jl Schwieters

45+ years, 400+ team

Family-owned since 1980.

In-house manufacturing

Panels, trusses, custom parts

safety poles

OSHA trained crews

true turnkey model

One accountable partner

serving mn and wi

Production to custom homes

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We manufacture wall panels, trusses, and custom components in-house, install with our own crews, and equip every project with safety poles — making us one of the only framing companies in Minnesota to do so. That combination of manufacturing control, installation expertise, and safety commitment is rare in a single partner.

  • Both. Alongside large-scale multifamily and production work, we partner with custom home builders on individually designed projects — including work featured on the 2026 Minnesota Artisan Home Tour.

  • Yes. JL Schwieters is fully licensed and insured to perform framing, manufacturing, and installation work in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

ready to build better?

Reach out today to discuss your next framing project and discover why Minnesota and Wisconsin’s top builders choose JL Schwieters.

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