Waukesha Chamber Top 10 Businesses; Tanis
When times are tough, instinct often says turn and run. But as Tanis Inc. stared at the face of a tough economy, owner Scott Tanis guided his company to turn and fight.
That fighting spirit landed Tanis Inc. in an elite category of small businesses that were selected as the top 10 best by a Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce committee, based on criteria such as sales growth, employee relations and service to the community.
"Our strategy was to maintain existing business even though their volumes were less," Tanis said. "We also made investments in order to attract new clients."
Tanis Inc. was founded in 1987 and provides brush manufacturing technology in twisted wire, cylinder, metal-backed stripping, stapled set and hand drawn brushes. Each brush construction can be engineered and designed to any original equipment manufacturing, industrial, production and maintenance application.
While some businesses tend to stop investing during slow economic times, Tanis Inc. did just the opposite. Over the last three years, the company, which employs 42 workers, has invested about $1 million in new equipment, even though 2001 saw the first drop in growth in the company’s history.
The company added new stapling equipment and abrasives to diversify the range of brush solutions clients could choose. The company also is working to expand its niche to include industrial distribution and metal finishing.
"Our main focus is to take care of our customers," Tanis said. "Many businesses say that, but we actually do it. We want to develop long-term relationships with our customers."
The investment has begun to pay off. The company’s downturn reversed and resulted in 3% growth in 2002. And Tanis Inc. has charted 20% growth already in 2003.
In addition to business investment, Tanis points to his employees as vital to the company’s success. Employees are part of the "Tanis family," and staff appreciation lunches show how the idea of family is part of the office culture.
"Good employees are key," Tanis said. "They’re the backbone of our success."
Tanis offers a simple – yet invaluable – piece of advice to other small business owners.
"You’ve got to sell," he said. "You can’t sit back and wait for sales to come to you."
Company name: Tanis Inc.
Location: 501 Maple Ave., Waukesha
Year established: 1987
Type of business: Manufacturer
Main products/services: Provider of brush manufacturing technology in twisted wire, cylinder, metal back strip, stapled set and hand drawn brushes.
Number of employees: 42
Business words of wisdom: "You’ve got to sell. You can’t sit back and wait for sales to come to you."
June 27, 2003 Small Business Times, Milwaukee
