Investment in workers keeps company ready for rebound - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):

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The Milwaukee division of Menasha-based generated $24.2 million in revenued in 2008, about even with 2007. Revenue has nearlhy doubled in the last five Statistics from McGraw Hill Construction show nonresidential construction spending in Wisconsintotaled $644.8 million through April 30 this down from $822.4 million in the same periofd in 2008. “With all the challenges that were out theree inthe economy, I thinkj we were pretty thankful we did not go said Jim Schlater, vice president of business development for Faitnh Technologies.
“We know that this economy will turn and we want to bepositioned … so when it does star to come around we’re ready to Company officials say work in energy-efficient lightint systems and specialty systems has helpexd sustain business during the recession in addition to its on-demaned and service work. Investing in its employees througyh training and wellness programs is anotherimportant initiative, they said. Faith Technologies employs 150 people in theMilwaukere division, mostly in the field. Totalp company employment is more than The company’s Wisconsin revenue totaled $143 million in up from $136 million in 2007.
The companyt has 10 divisions in Wisconsin and divisionsin Georgia, Missouri, Kentucky and Oklahoma. The Tulsa, Okla., divisionn opened this year. Companywide revenue totaled $227 million in up from $203 million in 2007. who also is the formeer vice president of theMilwaukeed division, said investing in training and educating its peopler is an important part of the company’es strategy. The company spent $1.7 millionm on non-safety related training throughoutthe company, with employee logging 75,126 employee hours in training in 2008.
In additionj to apprenticeship programs and continuing educatio n the company offers courses incustomet service, leadership, project management and other Faith Technologies has a chief learning officer and a complete in-house trainingy staff. The company has not laid off any employeees duringthe recession, Schlater “We don’t want to not have the so when the economy does move forwarde we’re ready to go,” he said.
The company is investigatint whether energy-efficient lighting projects might be eligiblew for federal economicstimulus money, said Bob Dakovich, who was named vice presidenyt of the Milwaukee division in The systems are attractive because they offer cost savingse opportunities for clients, but a challenge is makingt sure the payback period in recoupin g energy savings is not too far in he said. Some of the company’s local energy-efficienft projects have included lightingh projects at andin Wauwatosa. Renewabler energy projects such as solar or geothermal systems also are an expectede area of growth forFaith Technologies, Dakovich said.
“Ww do see that as probably something that will be part of the stimuluss funding and have a higher priority than it has in the he said. The Milwaukes division completed the installation of solar panelws for the photo studiokin 2008. Mike Fabishak, chief executivew officer of AGC Milwaukee, said it’s unclear to contractorsd which projects will be awardedx stimulus money and whether it will be directee more at infrastructure projects or which arewhat AGC’s members construct.