State training, technology grants

Six southeastern Wisconsin firms are among 11 statewide that will share $429,238 in Wisconsin Development Fund awards, granted at the May 28 Wisconsin Development Finance Board meeting in Madison. The local firms and their projects are:
Abatron, Inc., Kenosha, $8,465 Customized Labor Training (CLT) – Abatron manufactures and formulates adhesives, coatings, epoxy, polyurethane and related products for building restoration and maintenance, electrical component manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers. The company is pursuing ISO 9000:2000 certification in order to maintain its existing customer base. The CLT funds will be used to train 12 employees in preparation for the company’s ISO certification. The training project will leverage $9,465 in additional private investment.
Harmon Tool & Die, Inc., West Bend, $23,658 CLT – Harmon Tool & Die produces tools, dies, fixtures and components for the sheet metal, automotive, lawn and garden, agricultural, and food industries. It is pursuing ISO/QS 9002 certification to maintain its customer base. The CLT funds will be used to train 10 employees in preparation for the company’s ISO certification. The training project will leverage $23,659 in additional private investment.
Hayes Brake, LLC, Mequon, $63,113 CLT – Hayes Brake designs, develops and produces custom-engineered, non-automotive braking systems and components. It designs and manufactures service and parking brakes for motorcycles, bicycles, and other non-automotive vehicles. To broaden its customer base and increase production capacity, Hayes Brake recently completed an $8.1 million expansion, including the purchase of new equipment. The CLT funds will be used to train 25 current employees and 10 new employees on the new equipment. The training project will leverage $63,114 in additional private investment.
IEA, Inc., Kenosha, $20,536 CLT – IEA produces heat-transfer and fabricated sheet-metal component products, such as generators that provide stand-by and/or primary power to hospitals, computer centers, hi-rise buildings, and power plants. To retain its existing customer base and diversify its market, the company is pursuing QS 9000 certification. The CLT funds will be used to train 76 employees in preparation for the company’s QS 9000 certification. The training project will leverage $20,536 in additional private investment.
Man Lift Engineering, LLC, Racine, $66,239 Technology Development Loan (TDL) – Man Lift Engineering is an engineering and manufacturing company, focusing on aerial lifts. The company proposes to manufacture a multi-use machine that performs multiple tasks for use in the masonry, building and wall construction industries. It will use the TDL funds for working capital needed to build a prototype of the new machine. The project will leverage $66,239 in additional private investment.
Xten Industries, LLC, Kenosha, $9,100 CLT – Xten Industries provides its customers with a complete range of manufacturing services centering on production assembly and distribution of plastic components, including mold and part design, packaging, and inventory management. The company recently built a 78,000-sq. ft. building in Kenosha. Part of the $4.5-million project involved adding new molding and production line equipment and processes. The CLT funds will be used to train 27 current employees and 77 new employees on new production technologies and processes, management and efficient plant operations. The training project will leverage $16,622 in additional private investment.
For further information, contact Todd Kearney at the state Department of Commerce 608-266-6675.
June 7, 2002 Small Business Times, Milwaukee