BY MICHAEL BURKE
Journal Times | Posted: Saturday, April 5, 2008 12:00 am
RACINE COUNTY - It's that time of year again when Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce bestows its RAMAC Excellence in Business awards. Most of these honors are given in partnership with local organizations.
This year's awards will be given at RAMAC's annual banquet Tuesday at the Racine Marriott. Here is a brief look at each of the winners.
Business Person of the Year
Robert Toeppe, president of Wisconsin Plating, wins this prestigious RAMAC award.
Toeppe, co-owner with his brother Jeffrey, manages this business which was started in 1919 by Michael Toeppe, grandfather of the present owners. This job shop, based at 931 Carroll St., does metal finishing for manufacturers in metal industries.
In the mid-1990s the company corrected a problem with discharges to the Racine wastewater utility and won an award for that.
In 2005 the family-owned company bought the assets of Racine Plating Co., thus keeping more work and 32 jobs in Racine.
Toeppe uses the ISO quality management system. The company has installed new training programs, leaner manufacturing processes, eliminated customers who would not comply with payment terms and replace them with new
clients.
The company remains in Racine's inner city and has a racial minority employment of 44 percent and female employment of 26 percent.
After a 2006 fire devastated the life of an employee, the owners helped the family get back on its feet with a monetary fund, two weeks off with pay and essential household possessions.
AIM for Health Award
In-Sink-Erator is the recipient of Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare's 2007 AIM (Assess, Implement and Measure) for Health Award.
This award recognizes an employer that has made great strides toward implementing workplace wellness initiatives. Wheaton Franciscan uses a scorecard that measures base, target and stretch goals according to these criteria:
* Health risk assessment participation.
* Risk reduction.
* On-site health coaching.
* Health education.
* Smoke-free environment.
* Fitness program.
* Organizational strategic planning.
In-Sink-Erator provides a full time on-site nurse practitioner and support staff to provide insured employees, dependents and retirees with primary care, wellness and some chronic disease management.
The company has a well-structured, active wellness committee that looks at health education, fitness programming and benefits. In-Sink-Erator has incorporated an ergonomic program. It implemented a smoke-free premise policy in 2007 while providing smoking-cessation options and benefits for employees.
Apollo Award
Alliances Enterprises earns RAMAC's Apollo Award, sponsored by the Racine County Workforce Development Board. The award honors a new and innovative business in Racine County.
In 2006 Alliance majority owner Ed Salinas acquired a license agreement from the Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation, or CATI, to use patented technology formerly owned by Kraft Foods. The technology allows the extraction of cholesterol and improves saturated fat content of dairy products.
The resulting new product is referred to as a "milk ingredient" called Benelact. In far less time than normal, about 18 months, Alliance built a business model and built a $2 million, state-of-the-art research and development and pilot production facility at CATI.
Four area education institutions have had parts in the project.
Kraft Foods has estimated the market for the process is roughly $25 million, with potential for exports. The jobs being filled by the business - six to date - are well-paying, highly skilled technical positions.
Family Friendly Workplace Award
Hi-Liter Graphics in Burlington wins this year's award that considers the needs of families in the areas of financial benefits, dependant care concerns and recreation/family activities.
The commercial printing, binding and distribution company offers three different health insurance plans, an employee assistance program, flexible-spending accounts for health and dependant care and a 401(k) plan, a comprehensive wellness program. Employees can earn $500 in cash for quitting smoking or $120 toward specified wellness programs. This company throws holiday parties and a summer outing.
Company owner, President and Chief Executive Officer Craig Faust knows all 105 employees by name and makes them feel appreciated in many ways.
Young Professional of the Year
Jeff McKeown, owner of Express Personnel Services, was chosen for this award by Young Professionals of Racine.
This former high school dropout now has 10 full-time employees, puts more than 275 employees to work at 80 companies in the Racine area.
For the past two years, his company has been among the top six fast-growing franchises among more than 600 agencies nationwide, according to YPR.
Technology Partnership Award
Lakeview Pharmacy, one of the last remaining independent pharmacies in this area, wins this award from the Racine Technology Organization.
Lakeview, at 516 Monument Square in Downtown Racine, not only can compete with the conglomerates, but sales are growing by about $500,000 annually.
Lakeview's owners, Peter and Lynn Ciaramita, invested in a new computer and software system that freed up more time for them to concentrate on their business.
With their extra time they have explored ways to increase services to area patients and businesses, create new marketing ideas, and spend more time consulting with patients.