Press Releases

Precision Plus Adds Citric Passivation System to Expanding Fleet of Equipment, In-House Services

Precision Plus recently expanded its fleet of precision machining equipment and services with the installation of a JAYCO J8-1220-PRO Citric Passivation System. This state-of-the-art, fully automated passivation system allows for in-house, high-performance corrosion prevention and surface decontamination of the precision machined parts manufactured by Precision Plus. The addition of the passivation system will allow Precision Plus to have overall higher-quality control, lower production costs, and shorter lead times.

“By bringing this system in-house, we will not only be able to provide our clients with an overall higher-quality product but also quicker delivery of their precision machined components,” Sales Engineer and Estimator, Ryan Nuhn explains. “Rather than outsourcing this process to a third-party vendor, our team of manufacturing professionals will be part of the entirety of the production process every step of the way.”

Traditional passivation systems utilize nitric acid solutions, but more recent trends that Precision Plus adheres to have transitioned to a greener, more cost-efficient chemical solution: citric acid. 

“Citric passivation is the way of the future,” Vice President of Engineering, Michael P. Reader, predicts. “Studies have shown that it yields better results than nitric passivation with far lower acid concentrations. Citric Acid, found in lemons and limes, puts an emphasis on the acid’s environmentally friendly impact it has on Precision Plus’s efforts towards sustainability.”

The new citric passivation system brings the investment in equipment by Precision Plus over the last three years to nearly $3 million.

Contacts at Precision Plus

For more information on Precision Plus’s machining capabilities, contact Ryan Nuhn, Sales Engineer/Estimator, at NuhnR@preplus.com.  

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About Precision Plus

Precision Plus provides precision machined solutions for small parts across aerospace, dental, medical, and more industries. The company’s phenomenal culture of passionate people and commitment to ongoing investments in technology results in timely responses, quality products, and on-time delivery. Through collaborative engagement/early supplier involvement (ESI) with our clients, our Application Engineering team can help develop the most cost-effective solutions to deliver ultimate performance and value. With support from our knowledgeable Production team, our professional Client Services group provides timely responses and delivers quality products on time and at a fair price. Precision Plus offers inventory management programs for our clients, whereby our team monitors inventory levels and finished components are shipped as needed.

Precision Plus Celebrates Manufacturing Month with Inaugural Youth Apprentice Signing Ceremony, Annual Open House

In celebration of National Manufacturing Month, Precision Plus held its inaugural Youth Apprentice Signing Ceremony, in conjunction with its annual MFG Day Open House, on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at its 40,000sf state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. The event featured a showcase circuit of educational institutions and industry partners, guided tours by their team of manufacturing professionals, a signing ceremony commemorating their newly inducted Youth Apprentices, and esteemed speakers and public figures.

“Our primary goal for events like this is to inspire, educate, and enlighten our community, educational, and industry partners on the advanced manufacturing industry. Additionally, it is an opportunity to showcase the various educational programs and continuous training initiatives we have implemented over the years,” Ray Jargstorf, Marketing Coordinator, expressed. “Our organization continues to lead the way in changing the narrative of modern day machining while educating and shaping the next generation of manufacturing professionals.”

Precision Plus’s MFG Day 2022 Showcase Circuit featured educational and industry partner exhibits that educated guests on the significance of manufacturing, real-world applications, and the variety of careers the industry has to offer. Exhibitors included the Elkhorn Area School District, Gateway Technical College, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, the Precision Machined Products Association, Doig Corporation, Morris Midwest Group, Tsugami America, and Parker Hannifin.

During the guided tours led by a team of manufacturing professionals, guests had the opportunity to see first-hand the production process for various precision machined components and solutions that Precision Plus produces for its clients in the medical, dental, military, firearms, industrial and pneumatic industries. This included stops at their quality assurance lab, Swiss cam machines, Swiss CNC lathes, and other precision machining and support equipment.

The evening continued with the organization’s inaugural Youth Apprentice Signing Ceremony, which included remarks from Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary Amy Pechacek and U.S. House of Representative Bryan Steil. Pechacek and Steil discussed the significant impact that Youth Apprenticeship and Intern programs, like the one at Precision Plus, have on the continued development of Wisconsin’s workforce and overall economic success.

The newly inducted YAs were met onstage by their families in a ceremonial jersey and hatting presentation that symbolized Precision Plus’s commitment to their successful journey in the precision machining and advanced manufacturing industries.

“One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role in Human Resources is to showcase the amazing careers available in manufacturing with the next generation of manufacturing professionals,” Amanda Griffoul, Human Resources Manager, who spearheads the Youth Apprenticeship Program, says. “The smiles on the faces of the students as they signed their letters of commitment to our Youth Apprenticeship Program at Precision Plus on Thursday is the driving force behind what makes events like this so special!”

About MFG Day

MFG Day, a part of the Manufacturing Institute, is held nationwide throughout the month of October with nearly 350 manufacturing organizations hosting events that showcase the reality of modern manufacturing and the careers it can offer. The Manufacturing Institute encourages these organizations and educational institutions to open their doors to students, parents, teachers and community leaders.

About Precision Plus

Precision Plus provides precision machined solutions for small parts across aerospace, dental, medical, and more industries. The company’s phenomenal culture of passionate people and commitment to ongoing investments in technology results in timely responses, quality products, and on-time delivery. Through collaborative engagement/early supplier involvement (ESI) with our clients, our Application Engineering team can help develop the most cost-effective solutions to deliver ultimate performance and value. With support from our knowledgeable Production team, our professional Client Services group provides timely responses and delivers quality products on time and at a fair price. Precision Plus offers inventory management programs for our clients, whereby our team monitors inventory levels and finished components are shipped as needed.

Contacts at Precision Plus

For more information on Precision Plus’s MFG Day events, contact Ray Jargstorf, Marketing Coordinator, at JargstorfR@preplus.com, or visit www.preplus.com/mfgday.

Interested in joining the Precision Plus team of manufacturing professionals? Contact Amanda Griffoul, Human Resources Manager, at GriffoulA@preplus.com.

Check out news related to Precision Plus on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and read the Plus blog for company and industry related articles.

Sign up for the Plus email newsletter by clicking here.

Precision Plus named Top Workplace 2022 by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Precision Plus has been named in the Top Workplaces 2022 list by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Top Workplace recipients are awarded solely based on anonymous employee surveys administered through a third-party employee engagement provider, Energage, LLC. While completing the survey, employees answer questions about various cultural areas of distinction found throughout the organization – diversity and inclusion, motivating forces, and overall company mission, vision and direction.

After receiving the award, Chief Operations Officer Dave Strand expressed, “We have a team of amazing individuals at Precision Plus that have collectively created something special and this is truly a Championship Culture! Every day I come in, I am excited to be here. When you love what you do it isn’t ‘work’. Our business is to take care of our clients, and we all strive to make that happen every day. The teamwork and passion everyone here at Precision Plus brings is incredible! There are no words to express the feeling of what happens daily at a place that others may call ‘work’. I am sincerely proud to be part of this family atmosphere!”

Precision Plus employs nearly 100 people, and the business focuses on four core principles: innovation, respect, empowerment, and integrity. These four pillars ensure Precision Plus and its employees continue its mission to be the number one solution provider of machined components for our current and future partners.

Patti Christensen, Vice President of Human Resources, explained the importance of a positive work environment for their employees, “Precision Plus is blessed and fortunate to have an amazing team of highly-skilled manufacturing professionals. We have built our success over the past 40 years through the talented employees who have walked through our doors. Being formally named a Top Workplace through the feedback from our co-workers confirms that our organization has become a workplace of choice in Walworth County. We are extremely proud to provide a work environment where our employees can enjoy dedicated and engaged leadership, rewards and recognition, and a Company that truly cares about them and their families. We leave work at the end of the day knowing that what we do for our clients really matters. We are excited to be able to share this great news with current and future team members.”

To learn more about Precision Plus, including current employment opportunities, visit us at preplus.com/why-work-at-precision/.

About Precision Plus

Precision Plus provides precision machined solutions for small parts across aerospace, dental, medical, and more industries. The company’s phenomenal culture of passionate people and commitment to ongoing investments in technology results in timely responses, quality products, and on-time delivery. Through collaborative engagement/early supplier involvement (ESI) with our clients, our Application Engineering team can help develop the most cost-effective solutions to deliver ultimate performance and value. With support from our knowledgeable Production team, our professional Client Services group provides timely responses and delivers quality products on time and at a fair price. Precision Plus offers inventory management programs for our clients, whereby our team monitors inventory levels and finished components are shipped as needed.

Contacts at Precision Plus

For more information on Precision Plus’s machining capabilities, contact Ryan Nuhn, Sales Engineer/Estimator, at NuhnR@preplus.com.

Interested in joining Precision Plus’s team of manufacturing professionals? Contact Patti Christensen, V.P. of Human Resources, at ChristensenP@preplus.com.

Check out news related to Precision Plus on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and read the Plus blog for company and industry related articles.

Sign up for the Plus email newsletter by clicking here.

Precision Plus Celebrates 40 Years of Machining Excellence

Precision Plus is celebrating 40 years of providing industry-leading precision machined solutions to clients in various industries. Since 1982, the family-owned and operated company has actively supported local engagement and outreach programs in the Walworth County community. Precision Plus will host a series of events throughout 2022 with employees, clients, and community members to celebrate this historic milestone.

“Precision Plus is recognized as an industry leader for our efforts to attract, develop and retain the very best people in our industry. We have spent the last 40 years building the foundation for the next 40+ years. Our involvement with the local K-12 schools, Gateway Technical College and the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) has been vital to our success. Another contributing factor is our involvement in the Precision Machined Products Association (PMPA) and the European Syndicate International Du Décolletage (SID), which have been invaluable resources to fuel our growth and technical development.” Mike J Reader, President

Over the past 40 years, Precision Plus has evolved and grown considerably, but the mission remains the same: to be the first choice in precision-machined solutions for their clients. Ralph “Buck” Cates founded the company in a small 5,000sf shop in 1982. Over the next five years, he expanded the facility into a 17,000sf building that housed 60 mechanical Tornos Swiss lathes. In 1988, local business leader and former owner of the Lake Lawn Lodge resort, Phil Reader, acquired Precision Plus. Cates stayed on in an advisory role to ensure a successful transition.

Seven years after the acquisition, Phil’s son, Mike J Reader, joined the Company and the duo’s strategic efforts took the business to new heights leading to the construction of a 45,000sf facility in Elkhorn to accommodate their continued growth. In 2000, Precision Plus relocated to the new building with 45 employees and 80 Tornos Swiss lathes. The additional space allowed for expanding their machining capabilities to include CNC Swiss machining to provide more advanced solutions for complex parts with extremely tight tolerances.

Mike J Reader, President, acquired the business in 2006 and in 2015, Mike’s son, Michael P Reader, joined the Precision Plus team following his graduation from MSOE. To date, three active generations of the Reader family, Phil, Mike and Michael, all bring their unique strengths, experience and insights to the business operations and have created a manufacturing legacy for the future.

“It has been an incredible experience to watch the growth of Precision Plus over the last 40 years. The foundation of this company is built on family and community. I know it will continue to prosper in the years to come.” Barb Cates, Accounting Manager – Barb has been with Precision Plus since day one.

Cheryl Vegter, who has been with the Company since 1983 in myriad roles notes, “40 years of continual growth only happens through a consistent emphasis on learning and striving for better. I have enjoyed working alongside so many engaged, passionate and creative people throughout my years at Precision Plus.” Cheryl Vegter, Production Manager.

Currently, Precision Plus employs nearly 100 dedicated team members and the facility features 50 Tornos mechanical screw machines, 31 CNC Swiss machines, 9 CNC Turret Lathes and 2 Vertical Machining Centers. Plans for a 55,000sf expansion in 2023 are underway to ensure plenty of space for continued growth and support for their clients.

About Precision Plus

Precision Plus provides precision machined solutions for small parts across aerospace, dental, medical, and more industries. The company’s phenomenal culture of passionate people and commitment to ongoing investments in technology results in timely responses, quality products, and on-time delivery. Through collaborative engagement/early supplier involvement (ESI) with our clients, our Application Engineering team can help develop the most cost-effective solutions to deliver ultimate performance and value. With support from our knowledgeable Production team, our professional Client Services group provides timely responses and delivers quality products on time and at a fair price. Precision Plus offers inventory management programs for our clients, whereby our team monitors inventory levels and finished components are shipped as needed.

Contacts at Precision Plus

For more information on Precision Plus’s machining capabilities, contact Ryan Nuhn, Sales Engineer/Estimator, at NuhnR@preplus.com.

Interested in joining Precision Plus’s team of manufacturing professionals? Contact Patti Christensen, V.P. of Human Resources, at ChristensenP@preplus.com.

Check out news related to Precision Plus on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and read the Plus blog for company and industry related articles.

Sign up for the Plus email newsletter by clicking here.

Michael P. Reader Accepts MSOE Award for Leadership During COVID-19

Michael P. Reader, Vice President of Engineering and a 2016 graduate of MSOE, was recently honored as an MSOE 2021 Essential Frontline Worker Alumni. This award recognizes the positive impact made by previous graduates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reader was presented with a plaque by MSOE President, Dr. John Walz, and Alumni Association President, Adam Friedman, at the Dwight and Dian Diercks Computational Science Hall of the Milwaukee School of Engineering on September 30^th.

The selection committee at MSOE recognized Reader’s ability to lead the engineering department and production processes at Precision Plus throughout the early months of the pandemic to manufacture ventilator parts for the Ford/GE Ventilator Program. Reader and the engineering team spent countless hours ensuring that the ventilator part production was flawless and met the demanding qualification and rollout schedule.

The contributions made by Reader and the entire organization made it possible for Precision Plus to manufacture over 500,000 ventilator components. These components were used by five different companies in the fight against COVID-19. During his speech at the awards ceremony, Reader highlighted that this was a team effort by the entire Precision Plus organization and required countless hours by employees to meet the supplier demands.

“I feel extremely honored to be acknowledged for not only my individual hard work but also the hard work of many others I represented that night,” Reader expressed. “The award really showcased how well the Precision Plus team pulled together to make the impossible possible during a time of great need to help save lives during such difficult and unprecedented times.”

In early September, Reader was also recognized as a 2021 Emerging Leader by Production Machining Magazine. This award was established to “highlight professionals under the age of 40 who shine in their precision machining organizations and their communities as leaders”, according to Production Machining Magazine senior editor, Laurie Beckman.

For more information on Precision Plus’s efforts on continual career growth and leadership development, visit preplus.com/about. For more news related to Precision Plus, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Read our blog for company and industry-related articles. Sign up for our email newsletter by clicking here.

Design and Utility Patents Awarded to Precision Plus Partner M & M Machinery Services

Precision Plus, a manufacturer of precision machined components, is proud to announce the awarding of both design and utility patents to our business partner, M & M Machinery Services, from the United States Patent Office. M & M, a long-time partner of Precision Plus, patented a quick-change vent tube system for high speed bottle filling equipment for the beverage industry.