The 2007 Top Ten Small Business Awards were presented Thursday, June 7, to a diverse field of growing companies in southeastern Wisconsin.
The awards are presented annually by the Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce and Small Business Times. This year’s winners are: CSE – Caliendo Savio Enterprises Inc., New Berlin; Capital Data Inc., Milwaukee; Kolb+Co., Brookfield; Lakeland Supply Inc., Waukesha; M&M Office Interiors Inc., Pewaukee; QPS Companies Inc., Brookfield; Schroeder Solutions, New Berlin; Tailored Label Products Inc., Menomonee Falls; and World Class Wire & Cable Inc., Waukesha. A 10th company, Flanner’s Home Entertainment, Brookfield, withdrew from the program.
“Our judges were presented with an overwhelming number of highly qualified businesses this year, an indication of the amazing business successes that exist in 2006-2007. However, the businesses chosen all demonstrate a high level of respect and gratitude for the commitment of their employees. What a great ‘defining factor’ for employers and employees of our region,” said Patti Wallner, president of the Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce.
Dan Meyer, publisher of Small Business Times, said, “This year’s field of winners is particularly strong. These companies are getting it done by executing. They’re concentrating on the ‘Vital Factors,’ the blocking and tackling that is needed to grow their businesses.”
QPS Companies Inc., a growing, Brookfield-based staffing company, was named the Small Business of the Year.
“The growth of QPS Companies Inc. in both employees and revenue, was remarkable. Over and over again, they attributed this growth to a passion for continuous improvement translated from their internal employees to their client companies to their temporary employees. It was obvious that this passion turned into commitment and performance goals and objectives,” Wallner said.
The leaders of the winning companies shared some of their best strategies for business growth at a luncheon, held at the Country Springs Hotel’s grand ballroom in Waukesha.
The awards are presented each year to companies, based on the following criteria: no more than 250 employees, growth in employees or sales; minimum two years in business; based in southeastern Wisconsin; committed to good business practices; history of good employee relations and benefits; strong customer focus; and financial growth and consistency.
A panel of business people affiliated with the Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce judged the entries.
CLICK LINKS BELOW TO VEIW WINNER PROFILES:
- Continuous improvement spurs growth for QPS
- Incentives pay off for CSE
- Need for data protection fuels growth for Capital Data
- Kolb evolves to meet clients’ needs
- Employees share in growth at Lakeland Supply
- M&M raises the office bar
- Improvement is a perpetual process at Schroeder
- Tailored Label needs more space in the Falls
- Extreme customer service pays off for World Class Wire & Cable
