MENOMONEE FALLS, WI—Strong corporate leadership and a commitment to investing in new technology, continuous process improvement and employee training and development; these were all deciding factors in Tailored Label Products (TLP) securing its second Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Grand Award (MOTY). The manufacturer of high performance labels, tags and die cut adhesives now stands as a repeat winner of the award, which recognizes Wisconsin manufacturers for exceptional innovation, philanthropy, commitment to customer satisfaction and job creation.
TLP, which took similar honors in 2005, earned its award in the small company category, open to manufacturers with 1 to 99 employees. The award winners, selected from among 34 total nominees in four size categories, were revealed Feb. 27 at a black tie banquet at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. Honorees in the 26th annual competition were selected by an independent panel of judges from industry, education and the public sector that focused on how each company’s contributions helped drive Wisconsin’s economy.
“I am absolutely honored that TLP has been recognized with this very prestigious award for a second time,” said CEO Mike Erwin. “This achievement is a testament to our innovative manufacturing processes and dedicated team of professionals, without whom this would not have been possible. I thank them all from the bottom of my heart.”
TLP is continually recognized as one of Wisconsin’s best workplaces. In addition to the MOTY award, TLP has also received such distinctions at Best of the Best Workplaces of America and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Top 100 workplaces award for several years running. “Building upon our employees’ strengths and talents is imperative to the growth and success of our organization,” said President and COO Jeff Kerlin.
A heavy focus on community involvement was another factor the judges considered. The company’s ‘Touching the Lives of People” program, established in 2007, started out as the team name for a cancer run and has now expanded into a company wide culture that has employees asking, “When, where and how can we help?” TLP employees are committed to giving back to the community through a combination of both financial contributions and volunteer time. The company routinely donates its own manufactured products in the form of graphic design services, stickers, decals, labels, promotional magnets, static clings, signs and other products.
Dedication to customer needs prompted a surge in new business, which was in part what helped TLP secure the award. “On behalf of our entire organization, we are very grateful to our customers, business partners, and our community for having played such a huge role TLP’s continued success over the past 30 years. We are happy share this honor with them,” said Tracy Tenpenny, vice president of sales and marketing.