Address: N53 W24635 S Corporate Circle, PO Box 328, Sussex, WI 53089
Website: www.waukeshametal.com
Year founded: 1971
Product or service offered: Custom metal stampings, sheet metal fabrication, tool design and build, assembly and other value-added services.
Projected 2011 revenue: More than $25 million
CEO, President/Owner(s): Jeffrey Clark, president and CEO; Michael Steger, vice president and COO; Bob Markowiak, program manager; Bill Milbrath, operations manager; Vicki Pinnow, administration and HR manager
Target clientele: Automotive, aerospace, audio, electronics, lighting, medical/dental equipment, industrial products, military, and consumer products
Business organization memberships: Precision Metalforming Association, Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, Milwaukee 7, Original Equipment Suppliers Association, National Association of Manufacturers, Waukesha Business Alliance, Sussex Chamber of Commerce, Grafton Chamber of Commerce, Automotive Industry Action Group.
What has fueled your company’s growth?
New business acquisition in 2009 added sheet metal fabrication capabilities, and diversified our customer base and put us into new markets in all of our manufacturing capabilities.
What is the biggest obstacle to your company’s growth?
The ability to add talented people to our team and meet the expanded requirements of a growing business. It is critical to graduate well-rounded, capable young people out of our public education system.
Do you plan any changes in your company in the upcoming months?
We are exploring several opportunities that will change our operational footprint and product reach.
Who are the business people, locally or nationally, whom you admire? And what traits do those people exhibit that make you admire them?
There are many admirable business people within our network that provide many more people opportunity and give back to the community. Most admired are those that find balance in life, business and family while executing a sustainable business model.
What is the outlook for the business conditions of your industry over the next several months?
We are very concerned with the debt levels and continued deficit spending by our local, state and federal governments. The perceived recovery has been without wage growth, which will limit consumer confidence and ability to purchase goods. Inflationary pressures could also counter any economic growth over the next few years.
What is your company’s key strategy for rising out of the recession?
Through Process Excellence – be the best-cost metalforming supplier in our target markets.
