Posted by: Patricia I. Campbell
on: Wed, October, 27 2004 at 13:01:36
Manutec a manufacturing success story Small Business
Irv Palmer is that rare breed of hardscrabble urban entrepreneur, willing to take risks that others avoid and making it succeed.
Palmer, 59, is the founder and president of Manutec Inc., an old-line metals and machining shop located at 2475 W. Hampton Ave.
Manutec manufactures components and products for major companies like Caterpillar Inc., We Energies, Harley-Davidson Inc. and Miller Brewing Co. In addition, Manutec built the handrails and stairs for Miller Park.
The company employs 55 workers and had annual sales of $5 million last year. It is the largest black-owned manufacturer in Milwaukee, according to Bret Mayborne, director of the Business Resource Center of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce.
"This company has been my life, my passion," Palmer says. Karl Verser of Milwaukee, an employee of Manutec Inc., grinds steel parts that are part of the company's contract to provide fencing and decorative rails for the Marquette Interchange reconstruction project. Manutec was founded by engineer and entrepreneur Irv Palmer.
I liked the metals business, but I could not find any African-Americans that had a similar business in this area. I was rejected by five banks. One of the reasons I couldn't get financing was because no other blacks had been in this business.
Irv Palmer, Founder and President ...and Now Manutec Inc. employs 55 workers and had annual sales of $5 million last year.
It is the largest black-owned manufacturer in Milwaukee, according to a Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce official. The company won a $1.7 million contract to provide fencing and decorative rails for the Marquette Interchange construction project.
Now, after 11 years, Palmer is ready to hand over the reins of leadership to his three sons: Gary, 33, vice president of operations; Justin, 26, engineer and estimator; and Irvin Jr., 28, who oversees maintenance and repair.
"I'm working on my succession plan. I figure if they start now, in five years, I'll be out of here and they will run the whole thing," says Palmer, a former engineer who has 30 years of experience in manufacturing.
Manutec is an example of how minority-owned companies benefit from their inclusion on the $810 million reconstruction of the Marquette Interchange, the state's largest highway building project. The company won a $1.7 million contract to provide fencing and decorative rails for the interchange project.
That job, and other contracts, are a result of being state and federally certified. But it's also because of a strategic business decision Palmer made. Survival by diversification Manutec wasn't immune to the troubles manufacturers everywhere have experienced the last three years, Palmer said. The same product Manutec makes was being produced in Mexico and China using cheaper labor. "That's tough to compete with," he says. Sales declined 20% in 2003, a slide Palmer attributes to global competition.
Manutec survived by diversifying. The company had been geared toward heavy manufacturing. Now it is more involved in highway construction and building power plants.
"We had to analyze our cost structure and weed out non-productive activity," Palmer says. "You have to have a strategy as to how to overcome."
Few minority-owned manufacturing companies in the area have the sophistication and technology Manutec brings to the table, says Joseph Tucker, chairman of The Business Council, an organization of African-American-owned businesses affiliated with the commerce association.
"There's nobody out there, particularly in the African-American community, who's utilizing the level of technology that he has," says Tucker, also president and chief executive officer of Victory Personnel Inc., a staffing company at 735 N. Water St.
"Those are complex processes, and just combine that with where he chooses to remain - in the inner city with all its labor challenges. He's sustained that business through the ups and downs of that labor market and the economy."
Drawn to entrepreneurship The Jamaica native is a graduate of the Milwaukee School of Engineering and has a master's in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Palmer was looking for a challenge when he decided to go the entrepreneur route. He left a $75,000-a-year engineering job to start his own company.
"After I got my MBA, it opened my eyes to entrepreneurship," he said. "I knew how to put a business plan together. I knew something about marketing, finance and profit and loss."
Palmer did research and found that there were no other black-owned manufacturers in the area of metals and machining in the central city at the time.
"I liked the metals business, but I could not find any African-Americans that had a similar business in this area," he said. "I was rejected by five banks. One of the reasons I couldn't get financing was because no other blacks had been in this kind of business." Eventually Palmer received a $750,000 loan from Bank One, which he used to secure a location and purchase equipment. Manutec did not turn a profit for three years. "We had initial cash flow shortages. During that period of growth, you could literally end up starving," he says. "That's where the passion comes in. You don't mind those sacrifices."
'A wealth of workers' Palmer is glad he made the sacrifices to stay in business when he considers the jobs his company is providing today in the central city. Work on the Marquette Interchange will enable Manutec to provide family-sustaining jobs in the Lincoln Park neighborhood that surrounds the 40,000-square-foot manufacturing plant. About 80% of Manutec's employees are minorities, including African-Americans, Hispanics and Hmong workers.
"There's a wealth of workers in the central city. We've been trying to show how manufacturers can tap into that work force and take advantage of it," says John Pawasarat, director of the Employment & Training Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. "That's what Irv Palmer has done." Palmer has tapped into workers that many employers shun, such as former convicts. With training and guidance, some have become his best workers. "We have people here who come out of prison. I gave them $10 an hour. They've never missed a day," Palmer says. Consider Gregory McBeth, 34, who cleans steel in the plant at Manutec. McBeth had served a jail sentence for selling drugs and was down on his luck when he came to Manutec four months ago.
"They do something that some employers don't, they give you a second chance," McBeth said on a recent morning at the plant. "Working here has given me a chance to do something with my life.
Posted by: Dwight Smith
on: Tues, October, 19 2004 at 18:21:41
The Toronto Chapter will be having a Reception on Friday October 22nd 8:00PM at 9 West Side Drive in Markham to welcome our out of town Guests to the Toronto Chapter's Annual Fall Dance, all Holmwoodites are welcome.
For more info please contact
Al Salmon @ 416-414-6430 or
Dwight Smith @ 416-505-7447.
DIRECTIONS
From Westend
Take Hwy 401E to Hwy 404 to 16th AveE to Shorthill Drive, Turn right on Shorthill Drive to Manhattan Drive, turn left on Manhattan Drive to West Side Drive, turn right on West Side Drive
From Scarborough/Pickering
Take Hwy 401W to McCowan Road North to Manhattan Drive (Northof Hwy 7) turn left on Mahattan to West Side Drive, turn left on West Side.
The Address is # 9 West Side Drive.
Posted by: HAMLIN DALRIO
on: Fri, June, 20 2003 at 8:38:22
ATTENTION CLASS OF '69 ATTENTION CLASS OF '69 OUR SECOND RE-UNION WILL BE HELD DURING HOLMCOMING 2K4 SO PLEASE START SAVING YOUR PENNIES FOR THE TRIP. NO EXCUSES WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR NOT ATTENDING. PLEASE SEND ME INFORMATION ON ALL MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF '69 AND IDEAS ON ACTIVITIES WE SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN WHILE WE ARE THERE. I CAN BE REACHED BY E-MAIL AT KENRIO69@AOL.COM, HDALRIO@BROWARD.ORG, OR BY TELEPHONE AT 954-240-9141. SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR.
Posted by: Millicent Campbell
on: Tues, July, 01 2003 at 17:12:39
Hello Fellow Past Students, the annual weekend bash of the South Florida chapter has come and gone. I am sure that those who were in attendance had a memorable time. One of the highlights of this year's event was the election of a new executive for the International body.
This new executive comprises of the following persons:
Sezvin Hamilton - President
Franklin Williams - Immediate Past President
Courtney Leaky - 1st Vice President
Violet Griffith - 2nd Vice President
Berletta Henlon-Forrester - Public Relations Off.
Hyacinth Bailey - Accountant
Joan Alexander - Asst. Accountant
Millicent Campbell - Secretary
Icilda Hall - Asst. Secretary
Pat Campbell - President Midwest Chapter (Chicago)
Alric Salmon - President Canada Chapter
Hamlin Dalrio - President South Florida Chapter
Larry Willis - President New York Chapter
Jackie McIntosh - President Atlanta Chapter
Eric Swaby - President Central Chapter - Ja
Norma Taylor - President Western Chapter - Ja
Violet Griffith - President Eastern Chapter - Ja
Ulalee Lugg-Saunders - President N East Chapter-Ja
Please give these persons your full support, within the individual chapters and the general body, as they work as a team in charting the course of the Association and ultimately the continued support of our Alma Mater.
Posted by: Berletta Henlon-Forrester
on: Wed, September, 17 2003 at 11:28:53
Posted by: Roderick "Jolly" Campbell
on: Thurs, October, 16 2003 at 1:25:14
Hi graduates of '73 this is Roderick "jolly" Campbell. We are planning an event for the class of '73 during holmcoming 2k4. I would like to communicate with you all. My email is rode_camp25@hotmail.com Write to me soon. Jolly
Posted by: Junior Taylor
on: Mon, October, 27 2003 at 16:52:49
Hello all you wonderful people of the batch of '74, are you all looking forward to Holmcoming 2004? Well please start saving your dollars and making arrangements to be in Jamaica during June 25 to July 4, 2004. We will be having a grand batch reunion on June 29 or 30 which you just can't afford to miss. We would like this to be a memorable occasion for all and is therefore open to suggestions as to what format you would like this event to take. You can contact me at gargoholmwood@hotmail.com with your ideas.
Posted by: Delvis Nash
on: Wed, November, 12 2003 at 19:41:01
I would like to link up all members of the batch which graduated during the year 1990-1991. It would be nice if we could get together in the Reunion scheduled for 2004 at the schools ground. I would also use this opportunity to link up classmates like: Ruth Peart, Melody Foster, Andrea Lamb, Devon Renolds, Glanville Renolds, Granville Walker, Carolyn Richards and many more. My telephone number 718 9941995.
Posted by: Roderick "Jolly" Campbell
on: Fri, November, 14 2003 at 0:07:56
Attention all 69-73 graduates, needed; Ideas for our batch reunion next year. eg. Best date, best place(Ocho Rios recommended) and type of activities for the day/night. I can be reached at rode_camp25@hotmail.com or by phone 876-974-1110. The sooner we make these decisions, the better we can make our arrangements. Looking forward to seeing you all. I implore you all to be there. NB. It would be nice to start a scholarship fund in honor of Norma Yorke-Whittaker for a student at Holmwood, annually. Need a feedback on this too. "Jolly".
Posted by: Violet Fletcher-Griffith
on: Thurs, November, 20 2003 at 10:05:43
Hey! MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF '66 Please send us your ideas for our batch re-union during Holmcoming 2004. We would like your ideas and input for a memorable and inspiring event. It's your call. I may be reached at (876) 776-9711, e-mail violetgriffith@hotmail.com. Please respond promptly so that we can make meaningful plans.
Posted by: Kay Dennis
on: Mon, December, 01 2003 at 11:36:58
Mark your calendar everyone, Holmcoming 2003!!!! Class of '91 we have not lived up to our promise to meet 10 years after graduation, this is our moment. You can contact me @ 918 381 4535 or kaedenet@hotmail.com. See you there!!!!
Posted by: Mark Williams
on: Fri, December, 12 2003 at 2:10:34
Hail up Class of 1989! It's now 14 years since we left our memorable Alma Mater HOLMWOOD! Where has the time gone? Well HOLM-COMING 2004 is fast approaching (June 25 - July 4), it would be great if we could meet up. Batch day June 30th, let's make sure we meet up and plan something big. 11C what a time we had, I can never forget our school days. Charmaine Buckle, Daphne Cunningham, Juliet Smith, Florizel Beckford (Trelawney Crew), Ann Marie Davis, Novlet Onfroy, Ruchein Virgo, Charmain Westcarth (St Ann), Andrea Stewart, Delrose Wynter, Ann Marie Broomfield, Doreen (Mandeville Crew). Contact me at docmarkwill@aol.com or 011-44-208-671-9148.
Posted by: anthony echo uter
on: Thurs, Febuary, 05 2004 at 16:48:44
link to all class 76-80 george beco shaggy bada verol dosy see you all at home coming 2004.
Posted by: John Lawful
on: Sun, Febuary, 08 2004 at 13:04:09
Class of 73 need to get intouch with you all with regards to Holmcoming. PLease call my Florida number 305-416-6100 and you will be connected to me down here in Jamaica. We need to know how many of you guys will be making it as we have some very exciting things planned. A hope all a unoo come!
Posted by: sonia and junior taylor
on: Mon, Febuary, 23 2004 at 9:27:50
Please check these site for updates on Holmcoming activities. computer quotation: www.geocities.com/holmwood2k4/ht.html and for batch of 74 reunion site: www.villasonate.com
Posted by: HAMLIN DALRIO
on: Fri, March, 19 2004 at 8:58:20
GREETINGS TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOLMWOOD PAST STUDENTS ASSOCIATION,
HOLMCOMING 2K4 IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. I HOPE YOU HAVE ALL MADE PLANS TO ATTEND. LETS MAKE THIS THE BEST ONE YET. MONDAY JUNE 28 IS A VERY IMPORTANT DAY DURING HOLMCOMING. THERE WILL BE A CAREER DAY AT THE SCHOOL. THIS WILL INCLUDE INTERACTIVE SESSIONS WITH PRESENT STUDENTS, DISPLAYS OF STUDENTS' PROJECTS, CULTURAL PERFORMANCES, LIVE RADIO BROADCAST, AND AN ORGANISED TOUR OF THE SCHOOL COMPOUND. PLEASE BE READY TO ASSIST WITH THESE ACTIVITIES. SEND SUGGESTIONS TO SEZVIN@CWJAMAICA.COM THESE ACTIVITIES WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A GENERAL MEETING OF THE HPSA. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.
NOW, TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF '69. WE WILL BE HAVING OUR SECOND RE-UNION ON JULY 1. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT NO EXCUSES WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR BEING ABSENT ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE MEMBERS IN JAMAICA. YOU CANNOT AFFORD NOT TO BE THERE. ITS GOING TO BE BETTER THAN THE FIRST ONE.
LETS STAY TOGETHER
Posted by: Albert Joseph
on: Tues, March, 30 2004 at 20:13:25
To Coach Wilson. Congrats on your win in the Girls category. Are you Maurice that did Level II Sprints in Puerto Rico in 2000?
Posted by: Millicent Campbell
on: Thurs, April, 22 2004 at 11:00:06
To all you Holmwoodites, the Holmcoming Committee would like to get an idea of how many of you great people will be attending the Holmcoming activites, 1, 2 or all. Please send us this informaiton at email holmwood_psa@hotmail.com.
Posted by: John Lawful
on: Fri, April, 30 2004 at 15:35:37
ALL ISLAND SCHOOL BOYS CRICKET FINALS...SPAULINGS CUP at Chedwin Park, St Catherine. HOLMWOOD (defending champions) taking on Spanish Town High next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (May 5,6 and 7) Let's go support the team as they try to make this two in a row.
Posted by: HAMLIN DALRIO
on: Sun, May, 09 2004 at 20:49:33
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S
ON BEHALF OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HOLMWOOD PAST STUDENTS ASSOCIATION, SOUTH FLORIDA CHAPTER, I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE VICTORIOUS 2K4 CRICKET TEAM, THE COACH, PRINCIPAL, AND ALL WHO WERE INVOLVED WITH THE TEAM'S SUCCESS. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
Posted by: Berletta Henlon-Forrester
on: Fri, May, 14 2004 at 11:07:30
See updated Holmcoming Schedule of Activities in 'Upcoming Events'.
Note changes to days 4, 8 & 9.
The Holmcoming Organising Committee is invititing past students to confirm their attendance, especially persons who will require us to make arrangements for their accommodation.
Please contact:
Berletta Henlon-Forrester Telephone: (876) 819 3285 Email: berletta@softhome.net
Millicent Campbell (876) 936 7326 Email: Holmwood_psa@hotmail.com
Posted by: capt. Winston Chin
on: Tues, May, 25 2004 at 17:08:56
This is a shout out to bach of 78 inviting suggestions on a reunion at the holmcoming 2k4 please make contact soon so plans can be put in place contact me at captainchico@yahoo.com or 8768702359
Posted by: Berletta Henlon-Forrester
on: Fri, May, 28 2004 at 9:36:22
Class of 1978, let us hear from you. We need to plan our special event for June 29 or 30. We need to find out how many of us 78ers will be available. Contact Winston Chin at captainchico@yahoo.com or call 876 870 2359. Lloyd McGhie, I got your message. Contact Chin with your ideas.
Posted by: captainchico@yahoo.com
on: Fri, May, 28 2004 at 13:44:07
batch of 1978 reunion is planned for Wednesday June 30 in Kingston, time and venue will be posted later. please make contact and link up soon. Lets Stay togatger
Posted by: Millicent Campbell
on: Thurs, June, 03 2004 at 18:12:45
Notice is hereby given of the Annual General Meeting of the Holmwood Past Students' Association to be held on Monday June 28, 2004 in the auditorium at the Holmwood Technical High School, Christiana Manchester commencing at 3.00 pm. All chapter presidents will be required to present a report of their activities for the past year.
Posted by: RODERICK CAMPBELL
on: Mon, June, 07 2004 at 11:08:22
1973 GRADUATES REUNION DATE: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30TH. FROM 10:00AM UNTIL LOCATION: BALLINTINE INN MAMMEE BAY, OCHIO RIOS CLOSE TO SANDAL DUNNS RIVER.
Posted by: Dynesdal Wint (Isabella)
on: Mon, June, 07 2004 at 13:36:16
The "Class of 1973" graduates will be having their reunion on Wednesday June 30th, at the Ballantine Inn, MAMMEE BAY,Ochio Rios. Ballantine Inn is close to Sandals Dunns River. The New York, Maryland, Chicago,California, and Connecticut graduates will definitely be there. "Shout out" to racquel, bugs, atom, vickki, leggs, fatty, stum stum, jolly, creechy, stucky, levvy, isabella, slobbo, lobo, skill cole, pele, puss gully, lawless, woody, and the others with their parents' names. LET'S TRY AND RE-LIVE THOSE FOURS YEARS TOGETHER ONE MORE TIME. SPOUSE AND CHILDREN ARE ALSO WELCOME.
Posted by: John Lawful
on: Fri, June, 18 2004 at 10:33:22
Time is running out, so if you need accommodation at the Dormitory please get in touch with Millicent Campbell at 876-836-7326 or myself at 305-416-6100, email jlawful@tpci.net. We don't want to diappoint anyone so make your bookings now.
Posted by: Arnold "stum-stum" Clarke
on: Thurs, June, 24 2004 at 18:27:14
I must say sorry to my friends who are trying to contact me by telephone number 912-2397. I have removed from that address and can be contacted on 371-8053 and work 979-3816. See you all at Holm- coming.BR
Stum-Stum.
Posted by: Jennifer "Muscles"Hewitt
on: Sun, June, 20 2004 at 17:34:52
I am writing on behalf of my sister Hermine Clarke-Hamilton 66-70.She just learnt of the page today and would like to be in touch with friends from her batch.Send inf to my address-jf9894@yahoo.com or jf9894@anngel.com or jenfrecks@msn.com Thanks.