Germany has had a strong apprentice system in skilled trades, enabling students to gain practical work experience and entry into valuable jobs.
During his studies, Prechter gained a wide range of practical experience working for a number of German companies, including Faunwerke (a truck and military equipment supplier), Siemens (an electronics firm), and Deutz (a diesel engine manufacturer).
While studying Business Administration and English at San Francisco State College, he began installing sunroofs – then a virtually unknown product in the US.
In addition to ASC, Prechter founded Heritage Network Inc., a group of Michigan companies involved in the transportation, hospitality, and communications industries.
His Heritage Network group included a weekly newspaper chain (one of the largest in the state of Michigan), a real estate development company, and a beef cattle business.
President George W. Bush issued a presidential press release saying, "Laura and I were saddened to hear of the death of Heinz Prechter".