Wiring Harness News NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012 1
INDUSTRIAL INFO-TAINMENT
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: • Rowe Electronics
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T su re • Heroes Hired Manufacturing
Is tu • Building Things to Last
a • Anatomy of a Sale
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F • Cirris Celebrates Employee Ownership
• Wire Wisdom - American Wire Gauge
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
2013
Heroes Hired Manufacturing
By Fred Noer
_________________________________
T
o
Todd Schaffer and Mal
Forys, owners of Heroes
Hired Manufacturing, building
military veterans’ self-esteem is as impor-
tant as building wiring harnesses, cable
assemblies and control panels.
The two men, both veterans, are build-
ing their new company, located in Shelby
Township, Mich., in the Detroit metro-
politan area, on the following concept:
“Our mission is to provide a positive
difference in the lives of veterans with
service-related disabilities. This will be
achieved through training, education
and employment based on their abili-
ties. Heroes Hired Manufacturing is com-
mitted to providing its customers with
unsurpassed quality workmanship. It
will create self-esteem, responsibility,
prosperity and a rewarding new life for
our disabled heroes.”
Schaffer, 45, hit on the idea for Heroes
Hired Manufacturing (HHM) when he
was photographing the wedding of a dis-
abled veteran in his mid-20s in Novem-
ber 2012. Schaffer, who has been inter-
ested in photography more than 25
years, had a part-time photography busi-
ness until going full time in January
2009. With the start of HHM, he has dis-
continued the profession.
Rowe Electronics
From Contract Manufacturer to Proprietary Product
By Joe Tito
Wiring Harness News
_________________________________
I
’ve been wanting to write this
article for a long time, but I was
waiting for the main ingredient to
come my way. I've worked with many
contract manufacturers, both in the wire
harness industry, and other disciplines.
Many of the same grumblings can be
heard about hills and valleys, and the
customers’ increasingly
stringent
requests. It can be a juggling act manag-
ing varying pressures on pricing, packag-
ing, terms, etc. These conversations often
end with some version of the following
statement: “I sure wish we had a prod-
uct line to fall back on.”
Recently, I found a company who did
just that, and their story was compelling.
I scheduled a chat with Steve Rowe,
CEO, Blake Costello, Key Accounts Man-
ager, and Larry Penner, Business Manag-
er, of Rowe Electronics in Norwalk,
Iowa. We discussed their genesis as a har-
ness manufacturer, and how they devel-
oped the PDM60 Power Distribution
Module.
Humble Beginnings
Steve Rowe began his career in the
agriculture business. Equipment efficien-
cy and safety concerns led him to seek
remote control solutions. “I couldn’t find
anything on the market that fit the budg-
et,” he noted, “so I sought the help of an
electronics tech to help me build my
own using a commercial garage door
opener, and some supporting compo-
nents.” Steve didn’t have much time to
react when others in the industry began
to enquire, but when his business part-
ner sold his half of their business, Steve
heard the call. Looking for another
career path in 1997, Steve decided to
Crazy Diamond Performance (CDP) builds hot rods and custom engines.
Above is the front view of an engine harness that HHM made for one of
CDP’s hot rods.
Concerned about the groom’s future
and other veterans’ plights, Schaffer
talked to Forys, 65, about starting HHM,
and it was founded a month later. In Jan-
uary a 2,500-square-foot space in an
industrial park was leased, and by mid-
July the firm opened for business. When
the groom completes rehabilitation of
his severe war-related injuries, he will
become an HHM employee.
“Our ultimate goal is to branch out
and have facilities in different states,”
Schaffer said. “Then we can hire not just
from the Michigan vets pool but vets
from all over.”
The unique business model, perhaps
like no other company in the wiring har-
ness industry, fits with Schaffer’s and
Forys’ backgrounds. Schaffer spent five
years in the U.S. Marine Corps after grad-
uating from high school. He suffered a
disability while in the Marines.
________________Continued on page 28
Cirris Celebrates
Employee Ownership
“
We’re Connected” reads the ban-
ner in the foyer of the Cirris
headquarters. Covered in bright-
ly colored handprints of Cirris employ-
ees, one might mistake it for a grade
school project. However, their banner
holds a lot of symbolism.
During September, Cirris officially
became 100% employee-owned. Cirris
held a party at the Cirris Headquarters
to celebrate their ESOP (Employee Stock
Ownership Plan) status. The employees
all dipped their hands in paint and
stamped their handprints on the banner,
________________Continued on page 16
________________Continued on page 19
Cirris employees all dipped their hands in paint and stamped their hand-
prints on the banner, signifying that they are connected in their work togeth-
er, they each hold ownership in the company, and they are giving a big high
five to acknowledge it!