Manufacturing Today Issue - 219 December 2023 | Page 115

_________________________________________________________________________ Wisconsin
Aluminum Foundry is to offer a $ 400 childcare allowance per month to employees . This added benefit has allowed us to attract some of the younger generation to our workforce .”
Bob further stipulates the business works very closely with all its suppliers . “ Wherever possible our goal and desire is to be the Tier 1 supplier to the customer . For many years pre-Covid-19 , our on-time delivery exceeded 99.5 percent with a short threeweek delivery for castings . We have a strong team that manages our suppliers not only on the delivery side but also on quality and operationally . Many of our key suppliers have worked with WAF for decades , which has established dependable loyalty .”
Now looking to the future , Bob outlines that the business is excited about the acquisition of the two other foundries and the large permanent mold addition in Manitowoc . “ We need to continue to automate operations to reduce labor and become more efficient . The company has
the talent and engineering skills to meet these challenges . I believe that we will keep doing what we have done for the past 114 years and continue to improve and succeed .”
In our closing thoughts , Bob shares sentimentally that with 46 years of history , he does not regret joining WAF as a young man back in 1977 . “ The Schwartz family have been supportive and great owners who have given us the respect and approval to run the business as we see fit . This has allowed us to be responsive and successful . They have allowed us to also make mistakes , which often teaches you more than success . We work very hard as an organization , but we also take time to socialize and get to know each other through fun activities . We support the community in many ways thanks to the generosity of the family . It has been a great journey through life ,” he concludes . ■
www . wafco . com
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