Giving thanks and passing the torch: A third generation takes over at Messner Flooring

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When he was about to graduate from Brighton High School in 2006 and was thinking about the future, Ted Messner didn’t envision himself working for the family business.

“Flooring is not very exciting,” he thought.

Four years later, when he was completing degrees in economics and environmental studies from the University of Wisconsin in 2010, the idea of going to work with his father at Messner Flooring still didn’t resonate.

While he did return to Rochester, he instead chose to work in the solar industry.

But time provides perspective — and opportunity. There was an opening in Messner Flooring’s commercial division in the spring of 2013 so Ted Messner decided the time was right to make the jump.

“I came on board at the base level,” he said, “doing a little of anything and everything.”

Come November, he will be in charge of everything at Messner Flooring, a third-generation company that has been a fixture on the Rochester business landscape since 1962. Peter Messner plans to retire on Nov. 27 and will hand over the reins to his son. The deal was finalized last week.

Peter Messner has been at the firm since July 1, 1977, and has been running operations since 1987, overseeing expansion and exponential growth. When he joined his father, Ben, 47 years ago at what was first known as the BJ Messner Co., the one-man show was suddenly two-person operation that serviced only commercial clients.

Today there are 21 employees across three Messner Flooring locations — Pittsford, Greece and on University Avenue in the city of Rochester — and revenues are split about equally between the commercial and residential divisions.

“

We’ve been around a long time and the plan is to continue to be around,” said Peter Messner, who is 71.

The company has maintained its stature and reputation through high-quality products, service and performance.

“You take every day, every project, and complete it as expected,” Peter Messner said. “We’re working in peoples’ houses. When we’re done, if people have a positive attitude when they walk into a room, we’ve succeeded.”

Since joining the Messner team a decade ago, Ted Messner has learned a lot about those successes.

“People will say, ‘You did our flooring 20 years ago,’ or ‘You did our flooring 30 years ago,’ and you learn to appreciate the legacy,” he said.

Part of that legacy goes beyond just carpet, tile and hardwood flooring, however. There’s also an aspect of the greater good.

“My grandfather and father did such an incredible job of ingraining in me how important it is to be involved in our community,” Ted Messner, 37, said.

That’s because people don’t forget. Ted Messner was at a community center in the city that provided meals to those in need. “One of the people there said, “I know your last name because your grandfather did work in our church 40 years ago,” he said.

“That puts pressure on me to continue that. How am I going to create my own legacy? How am I going to get involved?”

Sometimes it will be through board involvement, he said. Or by providing services for community organizations. Or by supporting employees with their volunteering initiatives.

His wife, Candace, also believes strongly in giving back, Ted said. “We talk business a lot and I value her experience and knowledge.”

As for business operations, Messner Flooring continues to thrive. The retail locations have achieved new highs for sales and customer satisfaction, Peter Messner said. The company was ranked No. 82 on the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Top 100 list in 2023 and recently was did the flooring on two of the area’s most visible projects, URMC’s Orthopaedics and Physical Performance Center and expansion at The Strong Museum of Play.

The URMC project was the largest ever undertaken by Messner, a $2.3 million endeavor.

“To that point, our largest job had been $700,000,” Peter Messner said. “Every time it sets a new plateau. I remember when we had our first $100,000 project, and then our first $300,000 project.”

Now the most prominent number is 27. As in Nov. 27.

“My dad has his little countdown counter on his phone,” Ted Messner said.

Said Peter: “I’ve always dreamt about retiring on the day before Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.”

Being able to pass the torch of leadership to the third generation will make him even more thankful this Thanksgiving.

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