ABOUT US
Engert has proudly served Knoxville for over a century with dedication and expertise. Our deep roots and commitment to preserving Knoxville’s heritage drive our professionalism, industry knowledge, and timely, top-quality service. At Engert, we uphold our promise to “serve our customers as we do ourselves.”
2017
2005
BESCO and Engert Join Forces
Engert becomes a BESCO company. With a 75+ year history as a family company and leading electrical construction contractor headquartered in Knoxville, BESCO was a perfect complement for the Engert team with similar cultures, expertise, industry knowledge, and industries we serve. Today, we are proud to continue as a BESCO company, where we have combined mechanical, electrical, and plumbing capabilities to best serve our customers in the most efficient manner possible.
2005
1970s
–1990s
Continuing as a Family Business
In November 2005, upon Jim’s untimely passing, his wife, Donna Johnston, chose to continue operation of the business with their son, James “Jason” G. Johnston, IV.
1970s
–1990s
Late 1960s
Innovating Knoxville’s Sheet Metal Fabrication
In the early 70s, Engert installed the first automated duct fabrication system in East Tennessee, allowing it to expand its growing sheet metal fabrication portion further. In the ’90s, a new IBM-compatible Engel duct fabricating system was installed. This was the first system of its kind in the United States. These innovative additions helped Engert be part of Knoxville’s continued growth in the latter part of the century. During this time, notable projects included Pilot Oil Headquarters, Fort Sanders Hospital West, Oak Ridge Methodist Medical Center, and the Whittle Building in downtown Knoxville.
Late 1960s
Mid 1950s
Building Knoxville's Landmarks
Under Jim’s early management, Engert completed many notable projects around town including Children’s Hospital and the Communications and Administration buildings on the University of Tennessee campus, as well as Gibbs Hall and the UT Vet School.
Mid 1950s
1937
A Legacy of Growth
In the mid-1950s, Frank Engert purchased and restored the Samuel McCammon home, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places and where the company’s headquarters are still located today. During this time, Engert added air conditioning and sheet metal fabrication as part of its business. In 1965, Frank’s nephew, James “Jim” G. Johnston, Jr., became Engert’s General Manager and in 1974 assumed Mr. Engert’s portion of the business upon his death. This shift in management began the company’s transition to being a third-generation family run business.
1937
1891
A New Chapter
Engert’s founder, Fritz Engert, passed away, leaving the company and its day-to-day operations to his nephew, Frank Engert, who had been General Manager for several years. Under Frank’s early leadership, Engert completed projects like Fulton High School, Greyhound Bus Terminal, and the Boys and Girls Club.
1891
1875
Early Milestones
From 1891 to after the turn of the century, Engert would complete the plumbing in many residences in the City of Knoxville and surrounding districts, and in commercial buildings such as Knoxville Knitting Mills and the Arnstein Building at Market and Union Avenue.
1875
Foundations of a Legacy
The Engert family moved to Knoxville. This was where Fritz would expand upon his knowledge of the plumbing trade he learned as a boy and where he would establish one of the oldest family businesses in East Tennessee in 1891, then located at 714 Gay Street.