Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Customer Successes

HomeCustomer Successes

WMEP’s mission is to “elevate Wisconsin manufacturing to be the best in the world,” and these manufacturers demonstrate how Wisconsin is leading the way in innovation, continuous improvement, supply chain management, sustainable practices and engaging a global market.

  • TLX Technologies: Moving fast to capture market share

    TLX Technologies, LLC got its start in 1996 out of the dining room of the house of Neil Karolek, the company’s president and founder. Nearly 17 years later, the Pewaukee manufacturer of customized electro-mechanical solenoid products has grown to have anticipated annual revenue of about $10 million. 

    The boost in business over the years caused TLX to outgrow its old facility in...

  • QPI + PSI = Profit

    Quality Packaging Inc. (QPI) was at a crossroads a few years ago when a key customer faced the loss of a critical consumer products account because QPI didn’t offer an environmentally friendly retail package.

    QPI’s president Ken Wills drew upon his extensive knowledge of processes and materials for retail packaging to invent a new...

  • Rock Energy Systems Heats Up the Market

    After Rock Energy Systems, formerly Lanair Holdings LLC, purchased its largest competitor, it decided to move the manufacturing operations of the newly acquired business to Wisconsin from Pennsylvania.

    With no experience in relocating a business, Rock Energy Systems turned to the Wisconsin Manufacturing...

  • J & R Machine China-proofs its business

    Intense competition from manufacturers in China nearly drove J&R Machine Inc. out of business, but company ownership and management realized in the nick of time that somewhat drastic changes needed to be made in order to save the company.

    Founded in 1992, J&R got its start by manufacturing simple items such as bushings and...

  • GenMet Creates A Culture of Success

    GenMet Corp., a Mequon custom metal fabricator, first turned to the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership nearly a decade ago to allow it to better compete in an increasingly global environment. “Manufacturing became globally competitive,” GenMet President Mary Isbister said. “We had to figure out how to transition ourselves into that global economy and how to compete.”

    ...

  • Prolitec Knows the Sweet Smell of Success in Exporting

    Prolitec Inc. has found the sweet smell of international success through the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership’s ExporTech™ program.

    Milwaukee-based Prolitec applies and develops airborne technology for infection control, odor...

  • The WMEP opens Milwaukee office to great fanfare

    National, state and local officials laud the WMEP

    The Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership recently opened its new office in downtown Milwaukee in grand fashion, with national, state and local officials participating in a ceremony marking the event.

    “We are just ecstatic to be here in Milwaukee,” Buckley...

  • JARP Industries Boosts Sales

    JARP Industries Inc. was introduced to WMEP in 2006 through the Accelerate Supplier Development program and since then has turned to WMEP for services ranging from value stream mapping to programs aimed at boosting its marketing efforts.

    “WMEP has been a very valuable resource in helping us evolve,” JARP CEO Kevin Kraft said. “The...

  • Gordon Aluminum Industries Success

    Gordon Aluminum Industries, Inc.

    Located in Schofield, Gordon Aluminum Industries, Inc. is one of the leading employers in Marathon County with 140 employees.  The company is a full service aluminum extruder offering anodizing, powder coating, and fabrication services. Industries served by Gordon Aluminum include truck...

  • KCS International saves big with zoned heating

    The Company

    KCS International, Inc. a major employer in Oconto County, builds yachts from 30 to 56 feet under the brand names of Cruisers Yachts and Rampage.  When Bruce Allen, director of operations for KCS, heard about the Profitable Sustainability Initiative (PSI) pilot program from Steve...

  • Ball Corporation Makes a Cost-Savings Change

    The Company

    Ball Corporation’s facility in DeForest manufactures metal cans in various sizes for Midwestern fruit and vegetable packers. This facility was the original site of the Oconomowoc Canning Company and today employs approximately 100 people. 

    Ball Corporation has a well-developed sustainability strategy with the goal of making the company a sustainable enterprise...

  • Quick Cable cuts waste and saves money

    The Company

    Quick Cable, based in Franksville, Wisconsin, is a privately-owned company that develops, manufactures, and sells battery and electrical connectors, cable, tools and related products for commercial and industrial equipment.  They are the leader in the North American market due to a strong focus on quality, innovation and customer service.

    “Manufacturing processes...

  • AFW Reaps Big Savings and Environmental Benefits

    The Company

    AFW Foundry, Inc. will not be trucking 1,920 tons of sand per year to the landfill as a result of its participation in the Wisconsin Profitable Sustainability Initiative (PSI).  In addition, the company has achieved significant savings in landfill fees, transportation expenses and raw materials cost.

    Established in 1953, Lannon-based AFW Foundry supplies non-...

  • Klondike packs savings into its operation through PSI

    The Company

    Klondike Cheese has been producing award-winning cheese at the same location in Monroe since the late 1800’s. The family-owned company employs 80 people and is a major area employer.

    The Buholzer family is focused on sustainability for financial reasons and also because of their concern for the environment. “We’re focused on sustainable practices to reduce the...

  • ACH Foam Technologies Finds Energy Savings

    ACH Foam Technologies Finds Energy Savings in Heat Recovery Project

    For more than four decades, ACH Foam Technologies in Fond du Lac has been an industry leader in providing expanded polystyrene (EPS) products for the construction, geotechnical and packaging industries.  The company’s focus on sustainability is reflected in...

  • Lanair focus on marketing, employee culture pays big dividends

    Lanair Focus on Marketing and Employee Culture Pays Big Dividends

    In October of 2009 when Barry Brandt purchased the family-owned and operated Lanair Products, LLC of Janesville, he knew he had a winner.  The popularity of the company’s waste oil -fired heaters was growing.  More and more state service stations were using the heaters to  convert used motor oil into heat...

  • Sadoff & Rudoy Scraps Waste & Gets Lean

    Goal: Increase production by 30%

    Sadoff & Rudoy Industries LLP (SRI) has been at the leading edge of its industry – recycling scrap metal – since its founding in 1947. The family-owned company became known for its innovations in handling and processing scrap, and by 2005, SRI had six scrap metal processing operations in Wisconsin and one in Nebraska employing a total of more than...

  • Marsh Electronics Surges with Enterprise Business Transformation

    Enterprise Business Transformation (EBT) prepares Marsh Electronics for post-recession growth

    In early 2009, Marsh Electronics of Milwaukee was feeling the full effects of the recession. Like many distributors and assembly firms, Marsh Electronics went in survival mode – instituting layoffs, salary and benefit reductions and a range of other cost-...

  • Bock Rethinks Its Business and Fires Up Growth

    Bock Fires Up Growth with Strategic Repositioning

    For 77 years, Bock Water Heaters Inc., has thrived as an employee-owned company with plants in Princeton (subsidiary, Tank Technology, Inc.) and Madison and employs 90. Bock has manufactured branded, oil-fired water heaters for homes. “We are the market leader in that niche and we’ve enjoyed that for many years,” said Terry Mullen, Bock...

  • Strategic Planning Sets Course for Bachhuber

    SCI Icon  Strategic Business Planning and Lean Reveal Profit

    Bachhuber Manufacturing Corp., a Mayville company employing 25, is a contract manufacturer and maker of press automation equipment.

    The Issue

    They wanted to grow their press...

  • Berntsen Reaches New Summit with Strategic Planning

    SCI Icon  Berntsen International Reaches New Summit

    At the summit of Mount McKinley, there’s a survey marker made by Berntsen International. Placed there by an 8-man expedition team in June 1989, the brass disk marks the summit’s true elevation, 20,320 feet above sea...

  • HMA Fire Apparatus: 3P leads to triple-digit growth

    CFI IconUsing 3P for Product Development Results in PROFIT

    Sound business advice from WMEP and a commitment to Lean result in rapid growth for HMA Fire Apparatus

    In 2006, Rory Groonwald,...

  • Gusmer Enterprises: Reduces Setup Time by 70%

    SCI IconGusmer Enterprises Saves with Quick Changeover

    A four-day set-up reduction blitz generates lasting benefit

    Gusmer Enterprises, a third generation family-owned business, operates...

  • Fox Valley Metal Tech: Lean achieves 64% reduction in cycle time

    EEM IconFox Valley Metal Tech Accelerates Turn-around Time 64%

    John West, president of Fox Valley Metal Tech, was enthusiastic when his customer, a major defense contractor, asked him to participate in WMEP’s...

  • Design Specialties, Inc.: Lean Reduces Inventory by 80%

    SCI IconDesign Specialties Wins with Innovative Partnerships

    A strategy for growth focused on diversifying its customer base

    The employees of Design Specialties, Inc., a Milwaukee-based...

  • Dutchland Plastics Corporation: Strategic Planning Promotes Growth & Efficiency

    CFI IconDutchland Plastics Spurs Growth

    Strategic planning builds a solid foundation for growth

    Dutchland Plastics Corporation, based in Oostburg, Wisconsin, was established in 1967 and...

  • Lakeside® Manufacturing Reduces Product Development time by 33%

    CFI IconLakeside Develops Winning Ideas

    More than 60 years ago, Lakeside  Manufacturing, Inc., introduced the first stainless steel cart to the Foodservice Industry. Since that time, Lakeside has taken...

  • Medalcraft Mint Grows business with Lean and Eureka!

    CFI IconMedalcraft Mint Diversifies Sales

    Medalcraft Mint uses Eureka! Winning Ways to find new customers

    In 2007, when Jerry Moran bought The Medalcraft Mint, a private mint founded in...

  • Harvard Corporation: Exports & Lean Lead to Growth

    GE IconHarvard Corporation taps WMEP to gain new customers

    Company is positioned to grow through exporting and serving customers with sustainability goals

    Founded in 1973, Harvard Corporation is a...

  • Alpha Source, Inc.: Training Increased Sales 20%

    ATM IconAlpha Source's Talent for Growth

    Strong customer focus and empowered employees produce strong results

    Norine Carlson-Weber has always had a passion for excellence. After being laid off...

  • DeCrane Aircraft Seating Company: Lean Culture Reduces Inventory by $3.5 M

    EEM IconDeCrane Aircraft Seating Transforms Through Lean

    Lean Culture increases revenue by strengthening bonds with customers and suppliers

    A telephone sitting on a desk tucked away in a...

  • Reliable Plating Works: Profitable Sustainability Saves $1 M

    SPPD IconReliable Plating Works Saves $1M with Lean & Green

    Profitable Sustainability - a business strategy that pays.

    “Green isn’t a just a trend or industry buzzword. It’s a...

  • Centerline Machine: Lean Culture = Triple-digit growth

    CFI IconCenterline Machine Drives Growth with Lean

    In 1996 Charlie Leiby started Centerline Machine in his garage in Waupaca with one milling machine and a vision to build his own company. His first customers...

  • Dalco Metals: Lean Office Cuts Processing Time 50%

    SCI IconDalco Metals Gets Leaner with 5S

    Sustaining the Lean journey produces strong results

    Since 1973, family owned Dalco Metals of Walworth has been a premier supplier of flat-rolled...