1-877-FINKENS (1-877-346-5367)
Finken Companies is a family owned and operated business founded in 1961 by Wilfred F. Finken. It started out as a water conditioning business based out of Melrose, MN called StaSo-Soft and acted as an independent dealer. In 1969, Wilfred and a partner bought out Culligan Water in Sauk Centre further growing the business in the market area.
In 1976, the business expanded into the plumbing trade and dropped the Culligan brand and became Wif Finken’s WaterCare carrying the WaterCare franchise. At this time, it expanded its storefronts and gained a location in Sauk Centre. In 1995, Thomas G. Finken, Wilfred’s son took over the business and continued to intensify the market by expanding rapidly over the past several years by buying out a number of his competitors. Tom expanded the business from just a location in Melrose to having a storefront in Clearwater, Litchfield, Osseo, and St. Cloud where its headquarters now resides.
The company opened new storefronts in Albertville and in Becker at Becker Home Center, in the fall of 2008. Besides expanding the locations, Tom branched out into different operations including heating and cooling, spas and pools, and underground sprinkler systems while continuing to grow the original basis of the business, water treatment. The company started out with one employee and now employs over 50 people.
Click on any of the dates to learn more about our company!
1968: Wif bought out Culligan in Sauk Centre and formed Culligan Sta-So-Soft.
1986 Wif celebrates 25 years in business.
1997: Tom Finken takes over the business as CEO. Changes corporate name to Finken Companies to include Finken Water Centers and Finken Plumbing and Heating.
2004: Headquarters moves to St. Cloud with locations remaining in Litchfield, Melrose and Osseo. Finken Plumbing and Heating expands to Finken Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. Finken Water Centers adds spas.
2006: Wif Finken Celebrates 45 Years In the Business
1976 Wif boughtout his partner and started Mr. Watercare Franchise.
1991 Wif celebrates his 30th year in business, which employed seven full time employees and son Tom, as manager
2001: Finken Plumbing and Heating is separated from Finken Water Center
2005: The 3600 sq. foot showroom is opened in St. Cloud.
2008: Finken Water Centers in Albertville opens. Finken Companies adds showroom to Becker Home Center.
2011: Wif and Tom celebrate 50 years in business.