If you’ve worked with Fratco’s sales team over the past decade, there’s a good chance you’ve crossed paths with Craig Thompson. While he’s not pounding the pavement visiting job sites these days, his contributions are still an important part of the company’s daily operations.
“I started out as an estimator for a waterworks company,” he shared. “After that, I got into construction. I had my own tiling machine in the ’70s, laid pipe and worked for a couple of big contractors before eventually moving into pipe sales.” Craig joined Fratco in 2015, bringing with him a lifetime of hands-on experience in the drainage industry. His deep knowledge of drainage systems didn’t come from textbooks; it came from years of boots-on-the-ground work installing pipe, reading plans and solving real-world problems.
After several years on the road as a sales representative for Fratco, Craig recognized it was time to step back from the physical demands of travel. Fratco saw the opportunity to retain his invaluable expertise in a new role. Today, Craig monitors project plans across eight states, helping identify jobs that require Fratco products. “I go through the plans, figure out what materials are needed and send that to our sales team,” he explains. “It keeps me plenty busy.”
What keeps Craig motivated after decades in the business? “Honestly, it’s the people,” he says. “I’ve worked for other companies, but Fratco is honest and straightforward. They don’t sugarcoat things. It’s a really good company to work for.”
Watching the industry evolve over the years has been one of the most interesting parts of the job. “When I started, dual-wall pipe wasn’t common in storm sewer work. It took years for engineers to get comfortable with it,” Craig recalls. “Now, I see it specified on jobs all the time, and polypropylene is becoming more common, too. The equipment has changed a lot as well. Self-contained plows have made installs faster and cleaner than we ever imagined back in the day.”
When he’s not reviewing plans or sending estimates, Craig enjoys time at home in Manson, Iowa, working on landscaping projects with his wife, who served as the city clerk for 38 years. “She does all the mowing,” he jokes. “I handle the landscaping.”
For anyone considering a job at Fratco, Craig’s advice is simple:
They’ll be straight with you. It’s an honest company full of good people.
As the industry continues to change, Craig’s steady presence is proof that experience never goes out of style, and that there’s still plenty of value in a sharp mind, a good set of plans and knowing how to help water go where it’s supposed to go.
