.bodytext {float: left; } .floatimg-left-hort { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right: 10px; width:300px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-caption-hort { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:300px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-vert { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right:15px; width:200px;} .floatimg-left-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; font-size: 10px; width:200px;} .floatimg-right-hort { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px;} .floatimg-right-caption-hort { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimg-right-vert { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px;} .floatimg-right-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; border-top-style: double; border-top-color: black; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: black;} .floatimgright-sidebar p { line-height: 115%; text-indent: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar h4 { font-variant:small-caps; } .pullquote { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 150px; background: url(http://www.dmbusinessdaily.com/DAILY/editorial/extras/closequote.gif) no-repeat bottom right !important ; line-height: 150%; font-size: 125%; border-top: 1px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid;} .floatvidleft { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatvidright { float:right; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} Earl Butler’s once-innovative house is still a home for innovative thought and activity. The Midwest division of The Integer Group occupies the Butler Mansion property, and as the advertising and marketing agency expands, a third building will be added to accommodate company growth.

“The (Butler Mansion) has become a big part of who we are and how we get stuff done,” said Frank Maher, president of Integer’s Midwest division and chief operating officer for The Integer Group.

Modern art, bright colors, motivating expressions and the company’s mottos cover the sleek, white concrete walls along the seven-level circular ramp at the center of the 1930s mansion.

“Make work inspiring. Make inspiring work.” is the slogan for employees at Integer. Stickers bearing this advice are also found on the walls of the workspace. Framed pictures of the original furnishings are hung at entrances to rooms as a reminder of what the building used to be.

Though the mansion stands as an icon for the company, it is not completely functional. Expansion became inevitable as people and cubicles were tucked into every corner and placed in hallways. Company meetings are currently held off site due to inadequate space. Maher explained that only 10 employees regularly work in the mansion itself. Executive offices and conference rooms fill the former bedrooms, dining and living rooms of the Butler family.

“This was literally a residence; it was built as someone’s house,” said Al Tramontina, chief operating officer of Integer’s Midwest division. “It was not built to fit 500 people.”

Construction

The new 12,000-square-foot building will provide space for 75 additional employees, a much larger presentation area for company meetings, a workout facility, locker rooms, a courtyard, a game area and meeting areas, Maher said.

After relocating the original parking lot and laying out the central courtyard, construction of the new building is set to begin before the end of the month.

Integer is working to preserve the sensation of the original building, Maher said. When approaching the property, the initial view is still of the Butler Mansion; the extra buildings are tucked behind it at lower grades. In compliance with its city landmark status, the Art Deco building still stands on its own, said Michael Kastner of Architects Schipper Kastner, the architect for Integer’s addition. Similar window sizes are being used, but the shape of the new building is simpler than that of the historic structure.

“We are sympathetic to original design, but we do not try to imitate it,” Kastner said.

Adding the new building will provide a route connecting the mansion and the previous additions, increasing the functionality and effectiveness of the workplace, Kastner said.

Stronger connections between Integer’s departments, ranging from the creative work and ideation to public relations and strategic planning, will be an important byproduct of the construction of the new building, said Tom Kettler, senior vice president and executive creative director for Integer’s Midwest division.

“The addition will (provide) us space to shuffle the pieces around, facilitate those connections and make them happen,” Kettler said. “That is where real growth will happen – taking existing clients and doing even more for them. There you are able to effect even greater change, profit and growth within your client’s business. The addition enables us to do that. … You can’t have the growth unless you have the infrastructure.”

Business growth

Integer’s business expansion will be across the board; from strategic planning to account management, media to public relations, the internal departments are growing to accommodate company need and support the agency, Maher said.

Picking up large clients both domestically and internationally has helped Integer grow, Tramontina said.

Specializing in the home and shelter market, The Integer Group has a wide range of clients within Iowa, the United States and even the world, Maher said.

Every year for the past five years, Integer has had double-digit growth resulting in the agency doubling in size and revenue, Maher said. During the same period, Maytag Corp., one of Integer’s larger clients, was purchased by Whirlpool Corp. and consequently left the agency. Maher said Integer was able to maintain its growth rate in spite of that loss.

“The mettle of any company, especially within the agency world, is shown by how they persevere through times that are not necessarily the best. … Employees dig down and persevere, even in the tough times. If your company is just stagnant, you are falling behind,” he said.

Employees play a crucial role at Integer. From local experts to recruits from all over the country, Maher believes that a fun and inspiring work environment, the quality of life available in Des Moines and the caliber of Integer’s clients make a difference, helping co-workers focus on their jobs.

“Both Tom (Kettler) and I are reflections of people looking for something beyond the two-hour commute and the congestion of large cities,” Maher said. “Here you get to continue to work with great clients, and you also get the lifestyle that Des Moines and Iowa afford you.”

Beyond the new business growth (attaining new clients), Kettler described the value of organic growth (increased business from existing clients).

“You can’t just convince clients to do more of the same thing year in and year out,” Kettler said. “You have to be able to demonstrate that you are able to do more for them.”

The Integer Group’s growth and success can be attributed to the longevity of client accounts, the agency’s connections and its young, creative staff, Tramontina said.

“This was a GE (General Electric Co.) ‘Home of the Future,’ representing innovation; it is a center of innovation even today,” Maher said.