Magnum Products LLC, 2005 Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year

Tom Joseph pursued the American dream in 1988 when he founded Magnum Products in his garage. His first product was a light tower that when attached to a generator and mounted on a small trailer, becomes mobile and self-powering.

Today, Magnum Products, LLC is an industry leader that operates out of a 110,000 square foot facility and employs 252 workers. The company manufactures mobile light towers, mobile generators, mobile water trailers and mobile trash pumps.

Since 2003, the number of employees has expanded from 75 to 252 and its sales have more than tripled.

Magnum builds mobile flood light towers for equipment rental dealers, government agencies, contract sales channels and international and private label contract houses. The products are designed for ease in transport, set-up, operation, support and service. The products are reliable and durable and offer competitive warranties. All of its products are built to withstand the most difficult conditions and toughest environments. Its light towers are time-tested and perform globally in the world's most extreme environmental conditions.

In 2001, Magnum took a leap of faith and cancelled its contract with a private label OEM, which constituted 65% of its business. The company determined that the best opportunity for growth was to operate its own sales force and market products under its own name. The gamble paid off- Magnum Products has experienced explosive sales growth over the last four years.

Magnum delivers through customer service. If a customer has a specific need that accompanies any item in its product line, Magnum's employees are committed to finding a way to do it and do it well.

When it appeared the U.S. might go to war with Iraq, Magnum took a calculated risk and purchased a six-month supply of engines from its largest engine supplier realizing that if the demand for light towers spiked, it would be one step ahead of its competition. Magnum was well-positioned- when its competitors ran out of engines within one month, Magnum became the light tower of choice.

When the U.S Marines approached Magnum to make enhancements to a generator, the company's research and development, and engineering departments got the job done. It has also designed light towers for oil fields in Alaska to operate in extreme cold and designed and custom- built generators for NASA's space shuttle program.

The company has a low employee turnover rate. It attributes this success to its focus on training and mentoring, health care and well-being, and incentive plans. Magnum is committed to providing its employees with access to internal and external training opportunities.

When the company realized the high cost of health insurance made access to health care prohibitive for the majority of its production staff, it took measures to offer its employees affordable health care. It revamped its health plan into a self-insured plan that could be offered at a nominal cost. Within one year of changing the health plan, 90% of the eligible employees were covered under a health plan, and the costs to the company were reduced by 20%.

Magnum values each and every employee. The company has instituted a bonus plan that awards its employees equally.

As important as it is to provide superior customer service to its customers and to care for its employees, Magnum Products believes it is equally important to be a good citizen of its community. As the success of Magnum Products continues, it is committed to the community that has contributed to its success.

This piece was taken from the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Awards Program. Sponsored by: Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Virchow, Krause & Company, LLP and Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.