Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/66658
BACK OFFICE Filling a need Manufacturers seek help in creating new products, processes | BY BARBARA AXELSON Wisconsin Plastics, Inc. helps manufacturers to prototype products for solutions in processing and production, or those who have new business ideas. WPI can quickly prototype and help its customers visualize products, offering quick turnaround. The company invests heavily in 3D printers and rapid prototyping tools to assist customers. are our manufacturing capabilities and tightly integrated value-added services," says Mike Tennity, vice president of design and market development. "The design and development group can start with a client' "It is a well proven practice that early engagement with a cross- disciplinary team can dramatically shorten product development cycles and time to market." - Mike Tennity, vice president of design and market development, Wisconsin Plastics Inc. IN AN ECONOMY IN WHICH every manufacturer deals with escalating challenges involving budgets, staffing and creativity, there is an increasing desire for mentoring partnerships to ease the complexities of production and to establish the most modern technology within the plants. Wisconsin Plastics Inc. is a harbor for manufacturers who face processing and production dilemmas, plus those who have a variety of great new business ideas. Jim Christensen is president of the Green Bay-based company his father founded in 1972 as a steel fabricator and who, 10 years later, bought an injection molding company. WPI is now composed of four divisions, in five facilities ranging from 18,000 to 90,000 square feet of functional space — three in Ashwaubenon and two in Green Bay. Approximately 250 employees serve manufacturers in Wisconsin and beyond. "The heart and soul of the company 20 | INSIGHT on Manufacturing • May 2012 and/or business plan and team up to quickly move from ideas and concepts to a cost-effective, manufacturing-ready design." WPI's competencies and tools rapidly prototype and help s marketing brief customers to visualize products with modest investment in early stages. Evaluations and revisions can happen quickly, oſten and affordably. The company invests heavily in 3-D printers and rapid prototyping tools to assist customers in speed-to-market and to develop a prototyping culture. "It is a well proven practice that early engagement with a cross-disciplinary team can dramatically shorten product development cycles and time to market," Tennity says. Christensen notes that while there are a multitude of U.S.- based injection molding companies, "Our company is set far apart in this area, with real value added in design, assembly, electronics and decorative options." Rapid prototyping is key in "speed-to-market." Early and CAD, following through in manufacturing, building-to- order assemblies and subassemblies, as well as componentry, which may contain electro-computer components. Specialized components (e.g., printed circuit boards) are acquired from suppliers. Additionally, the turnkey operation offers a and oſten prototyping allows companies to quickly cycle through designing, building, evaluating and testing before costly, more permanent investments are made. Failing early and oſten can produce timely insight. Customers can evaluate and perform testing with engineering, sales and marketing teams. WPI applies its skills in rapid prototype design, engineering www.insightonmfg.com