In the 1980s, Ted Luehr made a career change after being laid off from his job at the highway department. He transitioned from being an engineer to working in water treatment and started his own company, Advantage Water Conditioning. Since then, the company has been providing water treatment services to thousands of homes in the Flathead Valley. Luehr’s wife Stephanie and their five children have all been involved in the business, with his oldest son Nick Luehr becoming a full-time partner in 2004.
Ted Luehr mentioned that the water treatment industry is relatively young, only being around for about 90 years. However, he emphasized that the equipment used in water treatment has significantly improved over the years. One such advancement is the fully automatic systems that use salt or potassium chloride, which run independently as long as they are plugged in. This technology has made water treatment systems more efficient and convenient for customers.
Despite facing challenges and changes in the industry, Advantage Water Conditioning has remained a trusted provider of water treatment services in the region. By adapting to new technologies and providing top-notch customer service, the company has built a strong reputation over time. With a family-oriented approach to business, the Luehr family has worked together to serve their community and meet the needs of their customers.