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Veterans Are Key to Our Country’s Future Success

Michael Reader

1918. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice between the Allied Nations and Germany came into effect, ending WWI. Exactly a year later, President Wilson proclaimed that November 11th should be proclaimed as “Veterans Day” from that day on.

In reality, counting from the Revolutionary War that spanned from 1775 to 1783, there have been more than one hundred wars in which the U.S. has been involved, meaning that there have been more than 100 wars from which there are veterans.

Precision Plus has always been aware of the sacrifice veterans have made for our country. Not too long ago, VetsRoll came to our attention. VetsRoll is an organization that sprouted in South Beloit, IL, with the sole mission to “provide safe ground transportation and an enjoyable experience for WWI, Korean War veterans, and all the Rosies from the ‘Rosie the Riveter’ movement” to visit the Washington, DC memorials and tributes for their service. We are losing veterans of that era at the rate of 900 to 1000 a day. VetsRoll hopes to provide these veterans with that opportunity. We, at Precision Plus, support their mission.

Decades ago, most veterans were able to incorporate back into the workforce. However, in recent years, a ‘knowledge validity shift’ has positioned many veterans in work limbo. Volunteering for their country at 18, many have not had a chance to receive a college degree. In addition, many ‘hands-on’ veterans who have worked on processes and equipment have the skills, but not the diploma that would put a stamp on their knowledge tract.

Last year, Mike Reader, President of Precision Plus, had the honor of meeting veteran Hernán Luis y Prado, who is making a difference in this arena. Hernán is the founder of “Workshops for Warriors,” an organization that helps returning veterans return to civilian life with valuable skills so needed in today’s market. Workshops for Warriors — a San Diego-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to training, certifying, and placing veterans in manufacturing careers.
“I had the privilege to tour the Workshops for Warriors facility, and meet the many men and women who have given everything for our country,” said Reader, “but who are striving to learn new technical skills in order to integrate back into the community, and make a difference.” We also support their cause.

Closer to home, we are proud that one out of three of the most recent hires at Precision Plus are U.S. Veterans. Their focus and discipline has played an integral part in their success.  Join us in recognizing:

• Anthony Anzalone , Army
• Michael Brown, Marines
• Angel Cabrera , Army
• John Espinoza, Marines
• Dave Lee, Marines
• Adam Rosseland, Army
• Neil Fleischhacker, Army
• Jim Hagar, Army
• Kevin Wilson, Navy

All the above Precision Plus family members have many character traits in common, including the honor to have served our country. Fortunately, we are blessed to have them as part of the Precision Plus Team!

Over the years, actor Gary Sinise has become a spokesperson for veterans. Recently, as an active supporter of “Get Skills to Work,” an organization that hopes to match 100,000 veterans with high skilled jobs by 2015, he supports the training of veterans to help close the current manufacturing skills gap.

At Precision Plus, we appreciate our veterans, their service for our country, and encourage and support their involvement in manufacturing. Their commitment to our country is beyond boundaries.

Community Involvement is One of Precision Plus’s Pillars of Business Strength

Michael Reader

By Barry Butters

As a company, Precision Plus maintains multiple metrics to measure our progress. These metrics are generally comparisons of where we are today compared to where we were last year, last month, and perhaps even yesterday. As anyone who sets goals knows, it’s the process of always chasing the elusive next level that leads us forward. However, when the dust settles and there is that moment of clarity for the big picture, one asks, “Is there more to life than business?” The Reader family, who has owned Precision Plus Inc. since 1988, keeps that big picture in focus and has generously supported the local community and organizations that serve, protect and care for us in times of need.

“Contributing positively to our community and environment” is one tenant of the pillar of Integrity that Precision Plus has built into its business vision. The company gifts monies to a number of organizations that serve and protect: Elkhorn Fire Department, the National Fire Safety Council, and the Sharon American Legion. Adding to that list, Mike Reader is leading a campaign through the PMPA to support a group called “Workshop for Warriors,” which is a non-profit organization dedicated to training, certifying, and placing veterans in manufacturing careers.

Support from Precision Plus extends especially deep into the education community, adding financial support to its ongoing efforts to educate the area’s best and brightest students on careers in manufacturing. Among the organizations that have received this support:

  • The 4-H of Walworth County
  • The E-TECH Club of Elkhorn Area High School, a group of high school and middle school students who participate in First Robotics and promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives in the younger grades.
  • Beloit Memorial High School’s group, similar to E-TECH that is involved in establishing a local FIRST Robotics Community in the Beloit School District
  • Wisconsin Project Lead the Way (PLTW) –  Precision Plus was a lead sponsor for the PLTW State Teachers Conference held in Pewaukee on December 9th. At the conference, Wisconsin’s Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch addressed the state’s PLTW teachers who are working in conjunction with the PLTW program through the Milwaukee School of Engineering to stimulate interest in careers in engineering in Wisconsin’s youth.

The Readers have also supported organizations that advance the treatment, prevention and search for a cure to cancer related illness. They generously support U.W Carbone Cancer Center and the H Foundation,  as well as the MCGMO Golf Outing for cancer prevention.

What is clear from these efforts is that Precision Plus pays attention to more than just its own bottom line. The Reader Family, the company, and its employees are committed to improving the metrics of the community.