Company address: 21675 Doral Road, Waukesha, WI 53186
Company Web site: www.upnatom.com
Industry: Truck equipment manufacturing
Number of employees: 9
Family: Wife, Sue, of 34 years; two grown children, Jud and Erin.
What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
“Partnering with local truck dealers to provide chassis for demonstrator units. They gained some truck sales, and we gained available demonstrators at minimum capital cost.”
What’s new at your company?
“We were recently named the overall winner for the 2006 LLEAP Award by Lift and Access Magazine against 27 other new products. The award was given for most innovative product with the greatest customer benefits.”
Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
“We are currently hiring additional salespeople and will be adding several demonstrator units to our fleet. We are also increasing available finished inventory to take advantage of short-term sales opportunities.”
What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?
“Dealing with growth. Anticipating the systems and people that need to be put in place to handle increased volume while maintaining quality.”
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
“The ‘Retriever’ from
Up-N-Atom Inc.”
Do you have a business mantra?
“Creative solutions to complex problems.”
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
“Any businessperson who operates with complete integrity. There are times when integrity is all you have left.”
What was the best advice you ever received?
“Don’t look back.”
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your career?
“While standing in a prospective customer’s showroom on a cold call, the customer was photographed with three models in bikinis on the deck of the brand new truck that he had just purchased from my competitor. Honest!”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“Spend time at our cabin on Lake Wisconsin enjoying outdoor activities, fishing, boating and golf.”
