Location: 5100 W. Brown Deer Road, Brown Deer
Website: www.tapconet.com
Year Founded: 1956
Product or Service offered: Everything in traffic and parking control supplies and services
Projected 2010 Revenue: $35 million
CEO and owner: Richard Bergholz
Other key leadership members: John Kugel, president and owner; Andrew Bergholz, vice president of sales and owner; Jason Kugel, vice president of new product development; John Cotton, chief operating officer; Vicki Wachtl, chief financial officer
Target Clientele: Governemental agencies, private industy, general public
Business Organization Memberships: ITE, IMSA, ATSSA, MMAC, BBB
What has fueled your company’s growth?
“Innovation and new markets coupled with outstanding employees.”
What has been the biggest obstacle to your company’s growth?
“Governemnet insolvency and too much red tape. Wisconsin Commerce Dept needs an overhaul and there is no federal emphasis on helping small businesses. Traditonal funding mechanisms are broken and there is obvious infrastructure neglect.”
Do you have any planned changes for your company in the coming months?
“We are adding new software for the entire enterprise.”
Who are the business people, locally or nationally, whom you admire? What traits do those people exhibit that make you admire them?
“All entrepreneurs for their persistence and their optimism.”
What is the outlook for the business conditions of your industry over the next several months?
“Governments are all broke so without innovation we would have fallen at least 25 percent in sales.”
What has been your company’s key strategy for rising out of the recession?
“Innovation, entering new markets and hiring more great employees.”
