Enterprise Minnesota Congratulates Akkerman Inc. on 35 Years of Innovation
Minneapolis, MN (September 25, 2008) – Robert H. Kill, president and CEO of Enterprise Minnesota, travelled this week to Akkerman Inc. in Brownsdale, Minn. to join in celebrating the company’s 35th anniversary of doing business in southwestern Minnesota.
“It’s an honor to be with Akkerman as they celebrate 35 years of running a successful business in Minnesota,” Kill said. “Enterprise Minnesota works with some of the best manufacturing companies in the state. Akkerman is a great example of achievement through innovation.”
Akkerman, Inc. a $20 million manufacturing company, employing 75 people, manufactures, sells, and rents microtunneling, pipejacking, tunnel boring, guided boring, and earth pressure balance equipment.
Enterprise Minnesota consultants have worked with Akkerman since 1992. They have helped Akkerman with a thorough strategic approach to growing its business, using services such as lean manufacturing to eliminate waste, enhance productivity, focus on continuous business improvements – including a new plant layout.
“Congratulations goes out to the entire Akkerman team. They learned the tools and management that Enterprise Minnesota brought to the company, which allowed them to become ingrained in the Akkerman culture and fostered growth through its quality workforce,” Kill said.
Enterprise Minnesota works with small and medium size manufacturing companies to help them compete and thrive. Its services help clients improve their efficiencies, contain their costs, and achieve real growth in sales revenue and earnings.
“Enterprise Minnesota’s efforts to help manufacturing businesses throughout the state have touched the lives of the citizens who work at those companies,” Kill said. “Manufacturing forms the bedrock of many Minnesota communities and offers the type of high-wage, high-skill jobs that create much needed economic opportunity and stability – and which are often otherwise hard to find.”
Enterprise Minnesota is affiliated with federal partner National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST-MEP). Thanks to this partnership, Enterprise Minnesota utilizes industry-wide benchmarks and proven, results-based tools to benefit manufacturers across the state.
Enterprise Minnesota is a 501(c) (3) non-profit consulting organization that helps Minnesota manufacturing enterprises grow profitably. Chartered by the Minnesota State Legislature in 1987, Enterprise Minnesota is an affiliate of the U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership) (MEP). Enterprise Minnesota offices are located in Minneapolis, Bemidji, Moorhead, and Owatonna.
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