A focus on customer service and value-added services has helped Waukesha-based World Class Wire & Cable Inc. average double-digit sales growth for 11 of 12 years since it was formed in 1994.
“A lot of people say they believe in customer service, but we come through,” said Jim Lindenberg, president. “It’s not just talk. All of our people buy into the philosophy. Our people really do care, and they bust their butts for our customers.”
Part of World Class Wire & Cable’s customer service model, which has also helped drive sales, is adding value-added services for clients. The company aims to add at least two value-added services per year.
For example, World Class Wire & Cable recently added wire bonding service for clients.
“There’s only a few distributors in the U.S. that do that,” Lindenberg said. “We listen to the wants and needs of our customers to come up with services to accommodate them.”
World Class Wire & Cable had $56 million in revenues for 2006, up from $36.8 million in 2005. The company projects about $65 million in revenues for 2007.
Lindenberg formed the company with the assistance of two wire manufacturers from Ohio after he was passed over for a promotion while working for another wire distributor.
“We lost money in our first month, but we were profitable after that,” he said. “I bought them out after six months.”
Today, World Class Wire & Cable has 65 full-time and 19 part-time employees, Lindenberg said. Most of the part-time employees are high school and college students.
“I know a lot of them, I used to coach a lot of them,” Lindenberg said. “I like to help them get through school.”
Although he hasn’t hired additional workers yet this year, Lindenberg is planning to add several employees by the end of 2007.
About five of World Class Wire & Cable’s full-time employees started as part-time workers, a model Lindenberg wants to continue for the future.
“That’s the game plan,” he said. “They learn the trade by starting in the warehouse.”
World Class Wire & Cable Inc.
Address: W234 N2091 Ridgeview Parkway Court, Waukesha
Web site: www.wcwc.com
Industry: Wire supplier, value-added manufacturer and exporter.
Employees: 65 full-time, 19 part-time
