Teel Plastics, Inc.

“Midwest firms: Jobs exist, skills scarce” By Bill Bregar, Plastics News, Published October 17, 2011

… On a trip to Wisconsin earlier this month, I visited custom (plastic tubing) extruder Teel Plastics Inc. in Baraboo and custom injection molder Plastic Components Inc. in Germantown.

Both companies have launched new plants and increased production, despite the recession.

Teel moved into its 150,000-square-foot headquarters plant in 2007.

The building is bright and airy.

Between two banks of extrusion lines there is a central area with dies, rollers and downstream equipment fully organized, right at hand.

The lunchroom belongs in a luxury hotel.

Teel Chairman Jay Smith said the building creates a positive work environment, important because operators and technicians handle quality control at the extruders.

Teel has met its aggressive goal of 20 percent growth over the last several years, even during the economic downturn.

Smith said Teel has hired 34 people in the last year.

“A lot of these are skilled jobs. They’re engineering. They’re IT. They’re R&D. Sales. Analytical laboratory people,” he said.

The company now employs about 260 people in Baraboo, where it has four plants.

Scott Baumbach, secretary of the Wisconsin Workforce Development, visited Teel to kick off September as Wisconsin Workforce Development Month.

Smith said a heavy investment in new products and technology creates demand for more skilled workers.

“Productivity drives growth. Excellence drives growth. And growth is more jobs. You’ve got to pull that back into this country,” he said…

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