 Company
Profile: Built on Solid Ground
MBW of Slinger, WI, began operations over 35 years ago with its
introduction of a lower maintenance vibratory plate compactor. Today
the Company's product line encompasses a full line of soil compaction
products, equipment for finishing , screeding, and slipforming of
concrete, as well as a number of specialty products for construction
applications. All MBW products have been designed and manufactured
with one mission in mind: To bring new technology to the industry
while providing outstanding product quality and attention to customer
service.
Founded on Expertise
and Innovation
That mission began in February of 1967 when two men with extensive
backgrounds in mechanical vibration and soil compaction began a
business in an unheated contractors shed. Helmut Maass and Frank
Multerer Sr. built four vibratory plates at a time. They loaded them
into the Multerer family station wagon and Frank would travel to
Chicago or other Midwestern cities peddling the machines on a
cash-only- sales basis. When those machines were sold, the proceeds
were immediately used to build four more plates and Frank Multerer Sr.
would be off on yet another venture.
From these humble beginnings MBW emerged in 1970 as a market leader
in vibratory plates throughout several Midwestern states. The plates
were revolutionary in that they dramatically reduced maintenance
concerns associated with plates of that time. MBW applied a different
approach in the vibration system of its plates allowing them to travel
faster and deliver greater compaction energy than competitive models.
Committed to High
Productivity, Low Maintenance
As the Company expanded into new areas of product development, it
remained true to the approach that made it's first product such a
success. Eventually, the following criterion was formalized and
applied to all R&D efforts:
- new products should increase productivity relative to existing
products;
- new products should decrease maintenance relative to existing
products;
- new products should embody design considerations and/or advances
in manufacturing methodology directed at reducing the cost of the
product; and,
- new R&D projects must show potential for securing
intellectual protection.
By applying these principles, MBW has ensured that it's
products provide tangible benefits in terms of productivity,
reduced maintenance and overall cost compared to less innovative
suppliers. Today, this approach remains integral to MBW's R&D
effort and is readily seen in the majority of the company's
products.
From vibratory plates, MBW went on to design percussion
rammers, specifically the R11 and R14 belt driven rammers,
considered a true innovation when introduced in 1970. The 1970s
also witnessed MBW's entry into vibratory concrete screeds,
powered concrete finishing equipment (trowels) and mortar-plaster
mixers.
R&D and production dramatically increased after MBW moved
into its new facility in 1971. After several expansions, MBW's
Slinger, WI plant now measures 95,000 square feet. Additionally,
MBW operates a subsidiary company, MBW (UK) LTD., in Bolton,
England and has additional warehousing and/or sales offices in
Singapore, and Shanghai, China.
World-Class Manufacturing
MBW's passion to innovate may be most readily apparent in its
product line. But it's MBW's innovative approach to running its
business coupled with ongoing investment in engineering, production
and data processing technology that has enabled MBW to operate with
world class efficiency. MBW's plant is state-of-the-art. The heart of
MBW's production facility is a battery of CNC metal working machinery.
Microsoft Windows 2000 workstations with SolidWorks software link
manufacturing and engineering departments. MBW also utilizes MAPICS XA
software on an IBM AS400 for accounting and inventory control which
includes an unparalleled MRP (Material Requirements Planning) package.
MBW has received national attention in computer industry trade
publications as an American manufacturer on the cutting edge of
computer related manufacturing methodologies. On the financial front,
MBW's innovative business approach resulted in a national test case
which allowed for the application of LIFO inventory valuation methods
to a manufacturing environment.
Today, MBW is known for products that reduce maintenance to all
time lows while at the same time increasing productivity to all time
highs. The key to it all has been MBW's aversion to "me-too"
engineering. MBW's commitment to advancing the state-of-the-art
through innovation is the foundation of its success and will continue
to be so in the new millennium.
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