MAKEOVER TRACTION

Here’s where the makeovers stand:

Atlas Wholesale Foods has better employee communication and accountability with help from Rebecca Davies from Foster Swift Collins and Smith and Renee Robertson from Mastermind Solutions; they have hired a new salesperson and also created a new position of a contract/bid coordinator. Both positions bring a fresh level of contact and service to customers. Frank Seyferth from Foster Swift has helped Atlas begin a succession plan to transition company control to the next generation.

Thanks to their coach Kim Greenspan and other makeover advisors, Sanit-Air has made changes to its operating structure resulting in a more focused approach on their core competencies. That led to their decision to sell under utilized equipment and plunge company resources into higher growth opportunities. A new computer system includes software donated by Microsoft. Western Creative is helping Sanit-Air with Web site revisions and a new radio campaign.

Wolverine Carbide Die Company has also hired a new salesperson. Their TAB coach, Ian Charles, showed them how to look very differently at variable costs -- which led to a whole new way to quote business. The effect on the bottom line will be revealed at the Small Business Conference. Makeover sponsors from MAP Business Solutions and UHY Advisors held an on-site “Kaizen Event” for Wolverine that identified new methods for improved manufacturing techniques, that would lower costs by over 30 percent.

Stay tuned, more exciting news and developments in the days and weeks ahead.