Operation Action U.P. Announces 2009 Award Winners

Marquette, MI – Operation Action U.P. held its Annual Meeting today in the Great Lakes Rooms of the University Center at Northern Michigan University.  Keynote speaker Brian E. Peters, Michigan Health and Hospital Association Executive Vice President of Operations, gave a presentation prior to the announcement of the 2009 Awards of Excellence winners. 

Award winners are outstanding businesses or major institutional employers who have contributed to the economic well being of their area in the Upper Peninsula.  Nominations were solicited from businesses, chambers of commerce, economic developers and the general public across the U.P. 

“The Awards of Excellence are an important part of our Annual Meeting,” comments Dave Molinare, Co-chair of Operation Action U.P.  “It is a way for our organization to recognize those outstanding efforts and contributions to the economic well being of the Upper Peninsula.  This year’s award winners have certainly proved their commitment to that end.”

A panel of healthcare executives addressed the attendees at the luncheon session that concluded the event.  The panel included Mr. Rick Ament, President and CEO, Bell Hospital; Mr. A. Gary Muller, President and CEO, Marquette General Hospital; Mr. Dennis Smith, President and CEO, Upper Peninsula Health Plan.

The 2009 Awards of Excellence winners honored at the meeting were:

American Transmission Co., Pewaukee, WI   www.atcllc.com

American Transmission Company began operation in January 2001 as the nation’s first multi-state, transmission-only utility company.  ATC’s high voltage electric transmission system (aka “The Grid”) enables energy producers to transport electrical power from the locations where it’s generated to local distribution utilities for consumption by their customers. ATC’s transmission network provides transmission service to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and portions of the State of Wisconsin.  ATC maintains an office in Kingsford, Michigan and is headquartered in Pewaukee, Wisconsin.

Since its inception, ATC has invested more than $0.5 Billion to improve upon the infrastructure that serves Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.  It has rebuilt and upgraded aging assets and has constructed new assets where necessary to meet a growing demand for energy.  Much of its work in the U.P. and northern Wisconsin has been completed utilizing U.P. based contractors and vendors. 

ATC initiated its U.P. Energy Collaborative during 2008 to engage a broad range of customers and stakeholders from the region to assess future needs and evaluate solutions. Opportunities for new sources of renewable energy are also being evaluated through the Energy Collaborative to insure the region is well poised to meet the demands of the future. ATC’s Energy Collaborative has been cited by the Michigan Public Service Commission as the “Best Practice for other transmission companies to employ”.

Calumet Electronics, Calumet, MI   www.calumetelectronics.com

Calumet Electronics has been manufacturing high- performance printed circuit boards since 1968. The company is a registered Small Business and a certified HUBZone Enterprise currently employing over 100 local residents.

Calumet has built its success on consistently delivering high quality products to performance driven markets. It has responded to the globalization of manufacturing by investing in technology and creating an environment of innovation.

Calumet Electronics remains committed to supporting American manufacturing by providing a Made in the USA option to companies that place a premium on performance.

Getz’s Inc., Marquette, MI   www.getzs.com

Getz’s Inc. has been a clothier in Marquette since the mid 1880’s and continues to evolve and grow.  While remaining authentic to the original vision, providing the highest quality clothing and gear for the workplace, Getz’s has also adapted to today’s demands for a wide array of clothing an footwear for the entire family.  

In 1997, the company added an internet business through getzs.com primarily focusing on quality work wear and outdoor apparel.  Getz’s provides outstanding customer service and embodies time-tested practices in their store. 

The old-world charm of the store coupled with the use of technology to meet today’s needs provides for an interesting mix that is not easily integrated.  Yet Getz’s has accomplished this without compromising their traditional operations.  Drawing visitors and residents alike to downtown Marquette, Getz’s provided important traffic to the downtown merchants.

Creative Composites, Rapid River, MI   www.creativecompositesinc.com

Creative Composites is a small business located in Rapid River, MI that designs, develops, engineers & manufactures structures and armor using advanced composite materials such as carbon fiber, Kevlar & ballistic fiberglass.  The company strives to advance the state of the art in composite materials and structures, keeping costs low & producing high-quality products. 

Creative has many “firsts” to its credit:  The first abrasive waterjet machining operation in the U.P. (and still the only company with 5-axis cutting capability), the first successful snowmobile composite front suspension, as well as development of many new and first-ever composite structures for military vehicles.

During a time when manufacturing is struggling in Michigan, Creative Composites has had an exemplary year.  Not only have they maintained their current market share, but also expanded and hired new highly skilled employees, taking their employment numbers from 10 to 35 as of December 2009.  Creative Composites believes increasing manufacturing operations needs to be the focus to improving the vitality of the regional economy.