What makes a business a great community business? Each year, Ozaukee Economic Development opens nominations for the best community businesses in the county. For OED, we look for three major elements — one, we are looking for a business that has grown; this can be in size, sales or profits; second, we look for a business that has excellent employee relationships, which can be training programs, wellness options, increasing employees; and finally, we look for a business that is committed to the community. This final element is often seen through volunteerism and donations to local organizations.
OED received a number of excellent nominations this year and is excited to announce our three winners.
The first winner is RAM Tool, Inc. RAM Tool has been a family-owned and operated business since 1979. The company specializes in building aluminum and zinc die cast dies and rapid machining of prototype parts and castings.
Their modern facility has the capability to manage jobs as large as 20 tons because they have 35 overhead cranes and high-tech five-axis and horizontal CNC machines.
RAM Tool, Inc. and its president, Michelle Polum, are committed to helping create a skilled workforce, providing training through their facility to their workforce, but also serving as an active partner with Ozaukee Youth Apprenticeship.
Kathleen Cady Schilling
RAM Tool, Inc. also worked with OED and the Chambers of Commerce to offer training through MATC at its facility to area businesses in a variety of subjects, including marketing, lean manufacturing, and Excel. RAM Tool, Inc. is also a strong supporter of community events through the Grafton Chamber of Commerce, where Michelle has been an active member. OED is happy to announce RAM Tool, Inc as our large business of the year.
Our second winner is Hometown Heating, Air and Electric.
Hometown Heating, Air and Electric was started by owner Ken Theiler in 2016. The company, then a local franchise, started with only three employees. The company has seen significant growth in the years following.
In 2021, Ken moved away from the franchise model and focused more on being your community HVAC partner and added an electric division, increasing its staff to eight employees. In 2022, Hometown Heating, Air and Electric acquired a Brookfield company, creating a second location and increasing its employees to 15 full-time employees.
Ken and Hometown have been strong community partners since entering the market. Ken has actively served on the Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce’s board and is currently the president of the board. Additionally, the company has been a strong supporter of Mel’s Charities.
OED is happy to announce Hometown Heating, Air & Electric as our medium business of the year.
Our last winner is glaze. Glaze is a paint-your-own pottery, glass fusing, raw clay, wine glass painting studio that also offers ice cream.
Glaze started 20 years ago in Ozaukee County. As the company grew, it moved from Cedarburg to its current location in Thiensville. The company serves as an ideal starting point for employment for the younger generation, providing a safe and creative environment in which to work while also learning life skills.
Glaze’s owners, Phil and Kristina Eckert, are strong leaders in the community. Kristina serves on the Village Board for Thiensville, and both are active members of the Thiensville Business Association. Glaze supports the Thiensville Turkey Trot, the Village Park Reimagined Campaign and Rise and Shine.
OED is happy to announce glaze as the small business of the year.
OED will present these awards at its annual Business of the Year/Economic Forecast Breakfast scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 26. Tickets are available either for an individual seat ($30) or for a table ($225). The event normally sells out, so don’t miss out on your chance to celebrate with these great businesses.
For more information, contact Kathleen Schilling at 262-238-7730 or kschilling@ozaukeebusiness.gov.
Kathleen Cady Schilling is executive director of the Ozaukee Economic Development.