Power Test, Inc.
Address: N60 W22700 Silver Spring Drive, Sussex
Year founded: 1976
Product or service offered: Power Test is an industry leader in the design, manufacture and sale of dynamometers, heavy equipment test systems, and related data acquisition and control systems.
Projected 2014 revenue: $17.4 million
CEO: Alan Petelinsek
Other key members of the leadership team: Pat Koppa, president
Target clientele: Power Test provides test equipment to manufacturers and rebuild facilities as well as distributors of engines, electric motors, transmissions, gearboxes and hydraulic equipment serving the mining, oil and gas, power generation, marine, trucking, construction, rail and military markets. Power Test has sold test systems to companies and organizations in the United States and more than 80 other countries on six continents.
Business organization memberships: Wisconsin Governor’s Council on Workforce Investment, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, Milwaukee Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Waukesha County Business Alliance, Tool, Die & Machining Association of Wisconsin, SAE International, Sussex Chamber of Commerce, Waukesha County Technical College Advisory Boards, Hamilton School District Business Advisory Council
What has fueled your company’s growth? “Repeat business, referrals and an ever-increasing customer awareness in our market segments. We also continue to build on our engineering and manufacturing capabilities to introduce new products and provide custom solutions to our global market.”
What is the biggest obstacle to your company’s growth? “Ineffective political bumbling. Our current well-intentioned but flawed policies on the national debt, taxes, energy, immigration, heath, the environment and global security are causing hesitation and doubt. Our customers are experiencing ‘uncertainty paralysis.’”
Do you plan to make any changes in your company in the coming months? “We are embarking on another growth initiative. Product line expansion, partnerships and acquisitions are in our future.”
Who are the business people, locally or nationally, whom you admire? And what traits do those people exhibit that make you admire them? “We have had the pleasure of meeting a number of business leaders who have stepped up and taken active roles in the community and with nonprofits. These include Mary and Eric Isbister (GenMet), Jeff Clark (Waukesha Metal Products), Judie Taylor (Dueco), Mike Erwin (Tailored Label), Michael Mallwitz (Busch Precision), Kent Lorenz (Acieta), Sarit Singhal (Superior Support Resources), and Steve and Phil Ziegler (InPro), to name a few. Funny, these are the same individuals who are in the BizTimes often.”
What is the outlook for the business conditions of your industry over the next several months? “We see a really strong fourth quarter with heavy backlog going into 2015. Our pipeline is unusually strong. 2015 will be amazing if the current world events can be quickly addressed by firm, engaged and decisive leadership.”
What is your company’s most important growth strategy right now? “Building on our strengths, capitalizing on our identified opportunities and continued development of our workforce.”
