Address: 10400 Innovation Dr., Suite 301, Wauwatosa, WI 53226
Website: www.keytechnicalsolutions.com
Year founded: 1993
Product or service offered: Engineering services mechanical, electrical, structural design services, technical staffing services, power generation industries
Projected 2012 revenue: $11 million
Leadership: Tim Galante, chief executive officer and chairman; Pete Ryan, president
Target clientele: Manufacturers, utilities, transportation consultants, mining
Business organization memberships: Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, SHRMA
What has fueled your company’s growth? “Manufacturing in the region has been strong over the past two years, especially the mining sector, and utilities have been strong. We also were able to hire some key individuals with mining/utility engineering backgrounds that have added services we couldn’t offer before; combine that with less than 2 percent turnover rate in our design services group. Both have made a huge impact on our success. Our people and our customers are our assets. Recently, we have started to train people to become designers and utilize the design software systems needed to be successful with our clients. This service has been VERY successful and popular.”
What is the biggest obstacle to your company’s growth? “Probably international credit markets. Our manufacturing clients export most of their products. Some need financing, that can really slow things down. I know the area needs more technical employees, but that is why we opened our school. It is an expense but it seems to us it is really worth the investment. We pay our students to learn, that’s a pretty good incentive.”
Do you plan any changes in your company in the upcoming months? “We just opened an office in Appleton to service the Fox Cities market, and we are considering adding more service options early in 2013.”
Who are the business people, locally or nationally, whom you admire? And what traits do those people exhibit that make you admire them? “Michael Cudahy for his no nonsense approach to business as well as his philanthropy. He understands the need to give back and invest. George Prescott because of his intelligence and persistence in directing a company to success, even in hard times. George taught me how to be a leader. He also understands you can’t cut your way to success, you have to sell your way there.”
What is the outlook for the business conditions of your industry over the next several months? “Hard to say. I think that if the economy doesn’t get a sucker punch, and politicians start behaving and working together, we will be growing. If the economy gets stressed too hard by foriegn troubles or politics in Washington, it may retreat.”
What is your company’s key strategy for rising out of the recession? “Roll up your sleeves and work our way out of it.”
