Wisconsin Oven Corporation held a ribbon cutting ceremony recently at its new 130,000-square-foot facility on Young Street, dedicating the building to a prominent local businessman who had a big influence on the company and current leadership team.

During the ceremony, Dave Strand, President and CEO of Wisconsin Oven Corporation and parent company Thermal Product Solutions, named the facility at 2056 Young St. the Champion Plant, after Bruce Champion.

Strand said Champion was respected and admired by many. 

“We are dedicating this building to Bruce and his efforts and his pioneership of Wisconsin Oven,” said Strand.

Champion was the former vice president of operations at Wisconsin Oven and was responsible for hiring Strand as a wide eyed 20-year-old. 
When Champion started at Wisconsin Oven Corporation, he was 31 years old. He was a public accountant and was pulled into Wisconsin Oven to learn manufacturing by founder Hank Kubicki. 

“I came to Wisconsin Oven in 1985 and it was a pretty tough time quite frankly,” said Champion. “I didn’t really realize it at the time, but I was brought in by Hank to change the culture.”

Champion said he can remember vividly the day he hired Strand.

“What’s really significant is over time, I realized that Dave, quite frankly, he was the gold standard in what we wanted for employees,” Champion said. “He came to me looking to hire a different caliber of person…that really is what changed the culture of Wisconsin Oven.”
Champion said he was grateful to work with the team of employees they put in place, many who are still with Wisconsin Oven Corporation today.

“These guys were young guys and they just were so hungry for knowledge and experience and it was fabulous to work with them,” said Champion. “It wasn’t me. It was them. They were such good students, such hardworking young men.” Image title

Mike Grande, vice president of sales and engineering at Wisconsin Oven, told the story of how Champion allowed him to bring a computer home to do work remotely – a first for the company and progressive move at the time. 

“Often wrong, but never in doubt. You guys remember that. He said it all the time and that reflected his philosophy,” said Grande of Champion. “The most important lesson I learned from Bruce was to always form positive relationships with people and always look for an opportunity to help others and be very loyal to those who help you,” Grande said.

Jeff Kent, executive vice president at Wisconsin Oven Corporation and Director of Sales for TPS, said Champion pushed him to think about the future and the importance of the power of positive thought. 

“[He asked,] What are you passionate about? What do you love doing? Where do you see yourself with Wisconsin Oven Corporation? Good questions. Heavy, deep questions for a 21-year-old going to college and working part time,” Kent said. “But those questions really resonated with me. It really makes you think about the future and what you can do.”

Strand said he was happy to recognized Champion, his accomplishments and his influence on the success of Wisconsin Oven while he was still around to enjoy it.


New facility to accommodate expanding operations

Wisconsin Oven Corporation’s new facility creates much needed manufacturing space to allow for the production of composite materials in the automotive and aerospace industries, according to Strand.

The company announced the expansion to the former Plymouth Tube facility in May of 2017, along with plans to add about 80 to 90 jobs between 2017-19.

Wisconsin Oven purchased the vacant building for $1.7 million, unveiling an extensive plan for $1.5 million in renovation and equipment costs.

Wisconsin Oven can earn up to $500,000 in job creation tax credits from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation through 2020.

Wisconsin Oven Corporation currently has about 175 employees in East Troy. 

Thermal Product Solutions, a leading American manufacturer of custom industrial ovens used for heat treating, finishing, drying, curing, manufacturing automation and processing, has manufacturing plants in Pennsylvania, Michigan, California and Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Oven has been manufacturing the highest quality industrial heat treating equipment for over 40 years. 

In the past 10 years, Wisconsin Oven has made critical moves to become a leader in the industry, developing new technology, partnering with the nation’s top brands and spreading its team around the country.

Strand said supporting the East Troy area community through giving has been a cornerstone of Wisconsin Oven’s business since the company was founded by Kubicki in 1973.

Each year, the company gives over $30,000 back to the community. For more information, visit wisoven.com.