WMEP: TLX Technologies Retains Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership to deliver enterprise business transformation project

Contact: Linda Abbott,

ph. 608-826-6215; abbott@chorus.net

Company Will Raise Operational Efficiencies and Effectiveness to Support Aggressive Future Growth

WAUKESHA, Wis. – Neil Karolek, president of TLX Technologies, LLC, today announced he has engaged the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP) to execute an Enterprise Business Transformation project for the company at its corporate headquarters in Waukesha. Consisting of three phases, the project will include an enterprise operations assessment, identification of key competitive priorities and action plans to achieve them over the next 18 months.

TLX Technologies, a designer and manufacturer of custom electro-mechanical actuators, solenoids and fluid control valves, employs 25 people and serves customers in the industrial, off-highway, transportation and commercial goods industries.  The company has experienced rapid growth in the last two years and anticipates even stronger growth over the next five years.  TLX is taking proactive steps to assure it has the most robust, efficient and effective operations in place to support future growth, increase quality and innovation and guarantee excellence in customer satisfaction.

Karolek said that the company turned to the expertise provided by WMEP to help it meet the challenges posed by rapid growth. “WMEP’s manufacturing specialists identified the need to control and manage our growth,” said Karolek.  “Our goal is long-term sustainable growth and WMEP is giving us the tools to grow effectively,” he said.  “We need to optimize our business operations before growth explodes. We have much higher sales goals through 2012 and are on plan to reach them.”

Karolek added that WMEP has already helped the company achieve a 50% reduction in production line downtime through mapping manufacturing processes associated with scrap creation.

TLX Technologies was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce to help fund the cost of the project.

“We offer custom solutions in actuator technology to our customers that are just not available elsewhere. Most of them are Fortune 600 companies and leaders in their field,” said Karolek. “We want to do a lot more things for our customers. We know our business can become even better; WMEP brings the experience to allow us to become world-class.”

WMEP Manufacturing Specialists Jim Fackelman and Rick Goodson, both manufacturing industry veterans with more than 20 years of experience, are leading the Enterprise Business Transformation project at TLX.

Said Goodson, “When this assessment is done, TLX will have a roadmap, a compass and a guide to get from where they are now to where they want to be in five years. Its focus on delivering custom solutions to customers is what a world-class company does in customer-focused innovation. Now, TLX will be reaching for world-class operations excellence to make it even more competitive.”

About TLX Technologies

TLX Technologies (http://www.tlxtech.com) is a designer and manufacturer of custom electro-mechanical actuators, solenoids, and fluid control valves. These products utilize patented technologies such as Digital High Speed, Residual Magnetism Latching, Permanent Magnet Latching, and Linear Proportional control to provide customers with designs that offer a competitive edge to their products.

TLX has established several strategic partnerships that allow it to offer a wide variety of products and manufacturing capabilities to its customers. Additionally, TLX utilizes its patented technology to offer a competitive advantage in established markets, as well as in the development of new products that require an innovative approach to the problem.

About WMEP

WMEP (http://www.wmep.org) is a private, nonprofit organization committed to the growth and success of Wisconsin manufacturers.  WMEP is a leader in lean manufacturing, growth services, strategic business planning, quality systems and supplier development.  During the past five years, WMEP-assisted manufacturers reported economic impact of $931 million with 8,635 jobs created/retained.  WMEP receives financial support from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, and partners with many public and private organizations to serve Wisconsin manufacturers. For more information, visit http://www.wmep.org or call 1-877-856-8588.