Wirefab Wins 2023 WBJ Excellence in Manufacturing Award
2023 WBJ AWARD WINNER FOR EXCELLENCE IN MANUFACTURING
Wirefab has transformed itself to drive record profits.
Wirefab, Inc. is the kind of place with a plaque in its office space for employees who have been with the company for a long time.
It recognizes and celebrates longevity. But this isn’t your typical longevity. This is generational-spanning employment: 30 years, 35, 40, 45, and 50. With that kind of loyalty, it would be easy to sit on your laurels and keep doing the same thing over and over again. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it, as the saying goes. But something did need to change.
The company, which was started by Asbed Zakarian and incorporated in February 1955, had become comfortable, which is never a good sign in any field, but especially not so in the volatile marketplace of manufacturing, where contracts can swiftly disappear. And it looked like it was going to stay that way until 28-year veteran engineer Chris Bousbouras threatened to leave. In stepped Elizabeth Lukose, granddaughter of Zakarian, to try and keep Bousbouras, a long-time employee who had become vital to its manufacturing arm with his engineering skills.
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A New Vision for the Future of Manufacturing
The pair approached Lukose’s father, company President Jim Samsel, with an idea for the company’s future. Samsel supported the idea and the creation of a new leadership team to drive Wirefab into the future. The team removed titles and restructured roles. No longer would people be siloed into their title or category. This was a company-wide TEAM effort, and everyone was expected to row in the same direction. If you didn’t want to, then Wirefab wasn’t the place for you. The company invested in new equipment and went after new contracts in vital industry subsectors. Wirefab changed its model from bending to the whims of customers to being proactive and creating its own identity that made customers want to work with them.
Investing in Employee Development and Company Culture
The company was struggling for culture. Now there are communication classes for people who don’t speak the same language on the floor and basic shop math classes, as well as parties and a break room where employees can meet for lunch and interact with each other. Communication has become a focal part of the culture.
It’s paid off. Wirefab not only continues to make the donut baskets for Dunkin’, which it has done forever, but now it contracts work out for aerospace and biomanufacturing. The company is having its best years, in terms of profits. And, at the same time, the company is an ESOP (employee stock ownership plan). Today, Wirefab invests in its employees by giving them an ownership stake in the company for their retirement and paying for college classes.
Sometimes, a refresh is necessary. Maybe what looked alright on the surface had cracks waiting to break, and it’s best to repair them before everything comes crumbling down. Now, Wirefab strives to evolve to the future, while striving to maintain the company’s 68-year legacy of excellence in manufacturing.
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100% U.S.-Based Wire Forming
Above all, we’re here to be your greatest resource in contract manufacturing. We conduct all of our stainless steel wire fabrication in the heart of New England. Plus, we’re ready to ship anywhere in the U.S.!
Wirefab Inc. has over 68 years of experience in custom sheet metal fabrication as one of New England’s top custom welding service companies. Whether you need custom CNC machining, laser metal cutting, or material handling carts, we’re here to help. Above all, we’re always eager to solve our customers’ problems with a broad range of custom wire fabrication services. Contact us today to see how our excellence in manufacturing can simplify your next project.
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