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IartungKemp's graphic G I O I mmIn 1991,just 100 were abroad.In
<br /> ign work is intended to 2004, the company opened a
<br /> attention to the com- Hugo-based Wilson Tool International has become plant in Shanghai. Brian Robin-
<br /> any or message,not to a global power in metal stamping. son, the 17-year company veter-
<br /> the design itself.The an who became Wilson Tool's
<br /> company also has done CEO in June, stresses that Wil-
<br /> roduct-packaging work > Wilson Tool International is ing sheet metal in numerous in- son didn't go to China for cheap
<br /> cluding the new Sweet one of those well-kept secrets in dustries—particularly appli- labor or to export from there.In-
<br /> of cakes and candies). the Twin Cities business world. ances; enclosures for electronics stead,it went largely to cut deliv-
<br /> ddition,it has increas- The company keeps a low products; and heating, ventila- ery times.
<br /> specialized in"corpo- profile,making products only for tion and air-conditioning equip- "We followed our customer
<br /> rate responsibility" other manufacturers. But don't ment. The Maple Grove-based base,"Robinson says. "We've got
<br /> messages(for Target, be fooled. Wilson, which has ex- Manufacturers Alliance, which to find ways to compete with
<br /> among others). panded eight times since 1978 at this year named Wilson one of low-cost manufacturers around
<br /> its production, research, and Minnesota's three best large the world."
<br /> other people tell headquarters compound in manufacturers, calls the compa- How has Wilson stamped out
<br /> that story.Then its Hugo, is making a big splash ny the largest independent tool- a place among global rivals?
<br /> believable." around the world. maker in the world. • Productivity gains. Before
<br /> This summer, Wilson produces tools for Some 6,000 of Wilson Tool's the 2001 recession, Wilson em-
<br /> the agency won a punching, bending, and stamp- 20,000 customers are overseas. ployed 900 workers worldwide.
<br /> major piece of Today, its sales are the same as
<br /> business—work- then,but with a work force that's
<br /> ing on a new ` "T O O L 200 employees fewer.
<br /> products for John- Low employee turnover.
<br /> )n's McNeil Nutri Company officials say their
<br /> vhose products in- turnover rate is less than 1 per-
<br /> and Lactaid milk). cent. They believe high wages
<br /> Kemp, the agency and benefits, in the 90th per-
<br /> Ing anew McNeil _ ENHANCE YOV centile for their field, keep good
<br /> ity, tone, and per- ``` PRESS workers.
<br /> {
<br /> 0 Work force interaction. Tool-
<br /> -mp's work isn't all :�, makers, enginees, and salespeo-
<br /> :)fit sector. It has 9 pie typically work in very sepa-
<br /> )ught out projects CAATWBE ��;`� ! rate silos. At Wilsons stamping
<br /> („ P g
<br /> ntities and philan-
<br /> _,o division, that's been diminished,
<br /> s since its incep- which encourages the sharing of
<br /> est six months, the 411ideas.
<br /> Teasingly won cor- • Research. On average, Wil-
<br /> cts emphasizing son introduces ahalf-dozen
<br /> -sponsibility" products, and files six to eight
<br /> gKemp, this work patents annually.
<br /> )mething of a spe- Founded in 1966 by Ken Wil-
<br /> s discover that so- son, Wilson Tool started selling
<br /> less-is perhaps as in European markets in 1982.Six
<br /> growing number 41 years later,it acquired a plant in
<br /> -$ (particularly Swindon, England, and began
<br /> as good ad and i production there. The company
<br /> n. Says Hartung, is closely held Wilson, his wife,
<br /> er wants to find and their nine children own all of
<br /> guys green? Are the stock. So expect Wilson Tool
<br /> back to the com- to stay based in Minnesota for
<br /> CEO Brian Robinson's company was named a"Manufacturer of the Year"in April some time.
<br /> —Kristi Johnson by the Manufacturers Alliance. —Dave Beal
<br /> S BY]OROE.COM
<br /> DECEMBER 2007 tcbmag.com TWIN CITIES BUSINESS 37
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