Local companies see benefits from Quest tech
By Holly Ann Garey
hgarey@themonretimes.com
MONROE - Several major local companies are working hand-in-hand with Quest Industrial, LLC. And for the firm's owner and president, Don Wickstrum, those close relationships are key to its success - now and in the future.
"We don't want to do business with companies unless it is personal," Wickstrum said.
For two of Quest's local clients, keeping it personal extends to the robot machines that have joined their operations. Both companies have given names to their new robots.
In New Glarus, brewery employees submitted names for the machine, and the winner was "Cow Tipper."
The machine will help lift beer barrels and place them on pallets for shipping.
In fact, Cow Tipper can lift a 140-gallon keg and place it in three seconds, with a .08 millimeter (the size of one side of a match book cover) error rate, Wickstrum said.
Jean Hengstl, plant manager for New Glarus Brewing Co., said employees were excited that the new robot was coming.
No jobs were eliminated as a result, Hengstl said, adding that the new system enhances the quality of jobs already at the plant.
"It helps with ergonomics," Hengstl said, noting that the machine cuts down on the hard and repetitive activities, like bending and lifting.
The current keg line, Hengstl said, packages 65 kegs an hour, and the robot should make the process much faster.
The robot can, for example, place six kegs on a pallet, place a slip sheet divider on top, and then add six more kegs on top.
Employees from Colony Brands also say they've seen production improvements from their new robot, which uses high-powered water jets to make smooth, precise cuts in bakery goods with a minimum of waste. The machine allows the company to cut precise molds into cakes and other products.
"It's building efficiency and quality," said Vanita Baumgartner, director of manufacturing.
Employees there also were able to submit names for their new machine. After the top five were chosen, Bakeries Automated Robotic Teammate, or BART, was the winner.
Quest Industrial began installing BART on March 28 and its first run was April 15.
From those humble beginnings, Wickstrum's business-to-business firm has grown to offer cutting-edge, customized robotics technology to such major clients as Colony Brands and New Glarus Brewing Company.
"This is technology that either we have developed, modified from purchased technology, or straight-up purchased technology that we adapt to our systems," Wickstrum said.
For Wickstrum, Quest's success has an impact on the entire region, helping area firms compete - and even thrive - during tough economic times.
"We truly need to help customers become better at what they do," said Wickstrum. "And if they are, they grow, they employ more people, and the economy grows, we continue to grow."
Quest Industrial started as the seed of an idea back in 2001. Wickstrum and his wife, Mary, had just married and were living in a trailer in Brodhead. There, in a small garage outside, he started the company.
Wickstrum, a University of Wisconsin-Platteville graduate, worked 60 hours a week at Woodbridge Corporation in Brodhead while he started his business.The first piece of robotic integration he developed was a donut flipper that preps donuts for glazing.
But success didn't come easy - or immediately - for the entrepreneur. For the first two years of owning his own business, Wickstrum traveled the country, trying to win over clients with his automation integration, engineering and other services.
Though the services are technologically driven, Quest's success also is attributable to its people, Wickstrum said, adding that he has 18 employees and may soon hire a few more.
"The people I work with, they make it worth it," he said. "They make me want to be a better business owner, and right after that is our customers."
Since moving to Monroe five years ago, Quest Industrial has been housed in four buildings - each larger than its predecessor - until settling in its current facility, 1313 16th St. The firm also recently opened a second space to support its cheese factory clients, who need a cleaner environment for food production. Wickstrum declined to disclose the location of that site.
Despite his growing operation, Wickstrum keeps himself busy outside of work. He serves as youth pastor at Grace Church in New Glarus. He also enjoys living in the fast lane - racing is a favorite hobby. He owns three race cars, as well as a 1928 Ford Model T that is displayed at Quest Industrial's north site. The Model T was a Christmas present from Wickstrum's wife.
Quest Industrial has also expanded further beyond just building robots. For example, the company recently developed a new root beer,and has worked with Minhas Craft Brewery to brew the new line. Later this month, Robot Rootbeer will be sold at local stores. Wickstrum said he could not have done this without the help of the staff at Minhas.
Wickstrum said his business isn't designed to simply eliminate employees from manufacturing. Quest does not sell to companies who plan to fire people after a robotic integration is installed, according to Ashley Staskal, office manager.
While he admits to never dreaming of owning his own business, Wickstrum said he has enjoyed the ride.
"I got a lot of great people," Wickstrum said. "When you surround yourself with great people, great things happen."