WMEP: New board members announced

Contact: Linda Abbott 608-826-6215; abbott@chorus.net

MADISON, Wis. – Three Wisconsin manufacturing leaders recently were elected to the board of directors of the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP).

WMEP is a private, nonprofit organization committed to the growth and success of Wisconsin manufacturers. WMEP’s 21-member board of directors is comprised of business, labor, education and state government leaders.

The new board members are:

Troy Berg, president of Dane Manufacturing, Inc., a precision stamping and sheet metal fabricating firm that serves U.S.-based original equipment manufacturers. For the past three years Dane Manufacturing has made Inc.’s 500/5000 list of America’s fastest growing private companies. Berg acquired the company in 2001. The Dane, Wisconsin-based company is 92 years old and employs 40.

Tom Duffey, president of Plastics Components, Inc. (PCI), a Germantown-based producer of injection molded plastic parts. Since Duffey started the company in 1989, it has grown from a 10,000 square-foot-facility with three presses to a 44,000 square-foot-facility with 42 presses. PCI embraces complete process innovation to produce parts at the lowest possible cost to compete globally. Duffey is also the president of Automated Wire Products, Inc., a spring manufacturing company located in Germantown, and serves on the board of directors for the Manufacturer’s Association for Plastics Processors, Inc.

Tom Jacobson, vice president, operations, Bruno Independent Living Aids, Inc., a global original equipment manufacturer of durable medical equipment products including stairlifts, vertical platform and vehicle lifts and turning automotive seating. Prior to joining Oconomowoc-based Bruno in 2004, Jacobson held executive level positions at CNH Global N.V. and General Electric Co. Bruno received the 2008 Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year award for new product innovation.

The new board members will serve three-year terms.

“There’s no question our organization will benefit greatly from the talent, experience and commitment of these individuals. We’re grateful for their willingness to serve,” said Jim Martin, newly-elected board chair and director of operations for Donaldson Company, which has a division in Stevens Point, Wisconsin and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “Their efforts will be instrumental in helping WMEP achieve its mission to elevate Wisconsin manufacturing to be the best in the world, and in the near-term, help state manufacturers survive the recession and thrive in recovery.”

In addition, Michael Erwin, president of Tailored Label Products, Inc., Menomonee Falls, was elected vice chair and Mary Isbister, president, GenMet Corp. of Mequon, was elected secretary.

The board of directors helps craft the direction for WMEP’s mission. Other board members are:

* Dan Ariens, president, Ariens Company, Brillion

* Steve Brahm, vice president, operations, Manitowoc Crane Group, Manitowoc

* Bill Breihan, staff representative, United Steel Workers–District 2, West Allis

* Jose Bucio, staff representative, Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, Milwaukee

* John Choren, director, Rapid Prototyping Center, Milwaukee School of Engineering

* Dan Clancy, president, Wisconsin Technical College System

* Steven Copp, president, TCI, LLC, Milwaukee

* Jim Haney, president, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce

* Randy Hulke, STTI director, University of Wisconsin–Stout

* Gayle Kugler, director, UW-Extension, Division of Entrepreneurship & Economic Development

* Mike Lanser, president, Lakeshore Technical College, Cleveland

* Richard Leinenkugel, secretary, Wisconsin Department of Commerce

* Peter Mancuso, president, Lindquist Machine Corp., Green Bay

* Rhonda Rushing, president, Berntsen International, Madison

* Amy Bruchs, Michael Best & Friedrich, Madison

ABOUT WMEP

WMEP is a private, nonprofit consulting organization committed to the growth and success of Wisconsin manufacturers. WMEP is a leader in bringing Next Generation Manufacturing best practices to Wisconsin firms to help them achieve world-class performance through innovation and transformation. During the past five years, WMEP-assisted manufacturers reported economic impact of nearly $1 billion – $977 million – with 7,965 jobs created/retained. WMEP receives financial support from 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.