Platte River Equity Engines of America Series

When we think about first responders, there’s a couple of things that are unique. First, solutions in the first responder sector have no room for error. Tools and products must operate correctly – 100% of the time. It can’t be 90% or 95%. It’s quite simple: if a firefighter wears an Air-Pak into a fire, that first responder can’t have that equipment fail. If a first responder arrives on a scene with people trapped in a car, the extrication tools that are used to cut them out of that car can’t work 90% of the time. They need to work — all the time.

Second, it might come as a surprise to some, but 65% of firefighters are volunteers. Having access to professionals who understand their needs and how to quickly service their equipment is critical. If a volunteer firefighter needs something fixed, it can’t be a six-week turnaround. It needs to be fixed immediately. It needs to be fixed today. Larger cities like Los Angeles have the resources, spare equipment, and people in place to always be ready for unexpected events, but smaller towns across America do not. It’s worth repeating: the resources we provide must work 100% of the time — because these small towns rarely have extra equipment or additional resources.

To achieve our goals of 100% reliability — 100% of the time, we bring innovative technologies to help us and our customers.

Our company was one of the first to introduce individual issue thermal imaging, which improved firefighter efficiency immensely. Standard procedures taught today for firefighters responding to a structure fire without thermal imaging includes manually and methodically sweeping from room to room. Studies have proven that firefighters equipped with thermal imaging can reduce their rescue and recovery time for downed firefighters and victims by 30 to 50%. Firefighters will go room to room, and if there’s a bed, they will actually sweep their arm under the bed to see if there’s somebody there if they can’t see. They can now sweep that room with thermal imaging to see if there’s a thermal signature under a piece of furniture.

The metrics of success in search and rescue operations is oftentimes defined as: how quickly a firefighter can get in and out of a building? How many people do they need to search for? Needless to say, in these scenarios, the measurement of success is lives saved and individuals rescued.

The other way that innovation comes into play is through protecting human capital – the people that are needed to do this important and dangerous work. Sometimes technology is a game-changing alternative and difference-maker. If a firefighting robot can be sent into a situation that may be dangerous for firefighters, the fire department is massively increasing its efficiency. Lost time on the job — whether it be because of injury or something else — is inefficient, so trying to minimize these situations and ensure “everyone goes home” is not only beneficial on a personal safety level but a business level as well. We are staying at the forefront of these technologies and helping bring them to first responders across the country.

Over exertion or heat stress is the number one killer of firefighters, and it is also a challenge for law enforcement, especially when it comes to body armor. There are new fabrics coming into play, some of which feel cool to the skin. The technology around lighter, more breathable materials that also provide heat protection have become more common recently. MES is proud to be investing in the products that provide for the increased safety of these brave first responders.

At MES we also have a cultural need for efficiency and innovation. When I think about transactional efficiency, there’s plenty we do at MES in that area. One thing we have done is to streamline the purchasing experience for our customers by leveraging digital technologies. We give our customers who are working 24hr a day an online 24/7 shopping experience. The organization gets transactional efficiency and financial accountability by loading allowances for each individual firefighter or police officer. Having a system that is easy to navigate and directly serves our customers’ interests is a positive for everyone involved. It makes getting the equipment or uniforms they need simple and straightforward.

Protecting first responders and allowing them to be more efficient in protecting the lives, property and safety of their communities is how we define success and deliver impact. The emergency services world is one where failure is not an option and is a backbone to daily life. In many respects, our work is an engine of the American economy.

Although Evolution Motion Solutions (“Evolution”) was founded several decades ago, our focus has been and remains simple: Our company is an engine that helps create and support industrial and manufacturing processes across a variety of industry sectors.

At its core, Evolution is in the motion control business. This includes anything on wheels outside of a factory and anything that requires movement inside a factory. We build the products that provide hydraulic, electrical and pneumatic power to move and transport all types of equipment, impacting every aspect of industrial life as a result. Ultimately, through our collaboration with product manufacturers worldwide – all working in various industries – we are powering society’s future mobility.

For example, the food you eat, the house you live in, the electricity you use, the car you drive, and the roads you drive on, are all impacted by the products we create and the partners we work with.

We partner with the highest quality manufacturers in the world, allowing us to take those leading products and implement them in ways that allow our customers to be their best: the best backhoe manufacturer, the best street sweeper, the best factory of the future. With all our work in the area of motion control, it’s not a stretch to say we are an Engine of America.

What’s special about Evolution is our position at the intersection of technology and innovation. For example, if we recruit a new forklift operator that lacks a certain degree of experience, we can place high technology sensors on the equipment to ensure that no harm occurs to the operator or the facility. We are able to apply various forms of technology to everyday life, creating more efficient business processes as a result.

We are only scratching the surface of what the industry can create and accomplish. Considering the potential capabilities of both factory automation and mobile equipment makes us excited – because the sky is the limit.

The commitment to innovation and doing things at high quality has long been an element of Evolution’s DNA. Our founder, Bob Womack, was committed to finding novel solutions to emerging issues. Someone described him by saying, “Bob was working on a solution before most people knew there was a problem.” We like to think that that describes our culture as well.

What our business boils down to is helping customers find a better way. We love it when someone comes to us and says, “Hey, I don’t know how to do this. I’m trying to electrify this vehicle, and I don’t have the space to do this. I need this functionality, this power density…where do I start?”

That’s when we get to work.

We are a TOOL company – for me the very definition of human efficiency. If you look back throughout human history, use of tools has been what has set us apart from other species. It has also been the key mechanism by which society has been able to develop and produce more efficiently and ultimately led to the productivity we enjoy today.

Spartaco is a hand tool company that was founded in 1956. Our brands primarily support electrical power-line and telecommunication line installers and repairers, as well as line-clearance professionals. Our tools are used to build and maintain America’s power grids, broadband networks, communication cables, and other important parts of our infrastructure. At their core, the tools we provide help workers perform difficult, dangerous tasks efficiently and as safely as possible.

The work we do is crucial across industries and geographies. In many respects, our tools help drive the engine of American business. Because Spartaco specializes in providing tools to complete critical but often dangerous work, safety is the top priority for both Spartaco and its customers. We are committed to supplying tools that not only enable our customers to perform their tasks safely but also contribute to career longevity across various industries.

Efficiency also plays an essential role in every aspect of our work, which I divide into two fundamental components: our products and our operations.

First, our products are designed and sold with a central focus on efficiency. These tools enable our customers to accomplish remarkable results, enhancing safety and simplifying complex tasks. Second, efficiency must be at the heart of our operational approach. Given the diverse range of industries and customers we serve, it’s imperative that our internal processes operate at peak efficiency. We cannot afford wasted time or product failures.

Innovation holds a significant place in our work at Spartaco. While the current dialogue on innovation often focuses on the speed of development, our approach is different. In our industry, where safety is of utmost importance, we strive to find a balance between rapid innovation and the unwavering reliability of our products. To maintain this balance, we rigorously test new technologies, ensuring they not only meet but exceed performance and reliability standards our customers expect. This process reflects our dedication to pioneering advancements without compromising the safety and quality our clients rely on.

Historically, the brands that we own have been the first to develop new tool technologies: hydraulic cutting and crimping tools for utility line workers and fiberglass poles and rodders for connecting telecommunication infrastructure. The industries we serve are essential services, providing power and communications for American industry and society. The demands are ever increasing and drive us forward – there are always challenges that require new products and business practices. We look for improvement every single day.

Ultimately, the power and telecommunications ecosystem is broad and constantly changing. It’s alive in a sense. We play our specific and important roles in this ecosystem – assisting service workers in their day-to-day jobs, helping them complete dangerous projects safely, effectively and efficiently. If we can continue to do this, we will be fulfilling our role in serving our customers and enabling them to drive the Engine of America.

Founded in Baltimore, Maryland, TIPCO Technologies has been at the forefront of hydraulic and industrial hose fitting solutions for over a century. With a workforce of 330 employees across 13 states, TIPCO embodies the spirit of American industrialization – playing a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of the nation’s infrastructure.

At TIPCO, we understand that the efficiency of America’s infrastructure – from water treatment plants to energy grids – relies heavily on the proper functioning of hydraulic systems, a crucial yet often underappreciated facet of industrial operations. As specialists in hoses and fittings, TIPCO ensures that the vital flow of fluids necessary for infrastructure projects is maintained, making us a silent yet essential component of America’s industrial engine.

Our commitment to excellence is guided by four fundamental principles:

People: At TIPCO, we believe that our solutions are only as good as the people behind them. Our team’s expertise in handling high-pressure applications not only ensures operational safety but also environmental integrity. Continuous training and development are paramount as we prepare our workforce today to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

Growth: We gauge our success by our capacity for growth. Developing sustainable, long-lasting solutions for our clients signifies our forward momentum. We see growth not just as a goal but as an indicator of our ongoing relevance and impact in the industries we serve.

Partnerships: Our history and future are built on the strength of our partnerships. By aligning with strategic suppliers and stakeholders, TIPCO delivers exceptional value – providing top-tier products and services, which ensures mutual success.

Innovation: We proudly proclaim that “technology is on our name,” underscoring our commitment to digital innovation. Collaborating closely with our strategic partners, we continually improve our products, services, and TIPCO e-Store offerings to deliver greater efficiency, safety, and performance for our customers. Our proactive embrace of technology equips the TIPCO team to serve our diverse customer base and various markets more effectively.

These principles are brought to life through our robust innovation loop, where products such as hoses are not only supplied but also enhanced through thoughtful analysis and technological integration. Our Chief Digital Officer leads this charge, emphasizing the importance of cutting-edge technologies in revolutionizing our workflows.

Despite the challenges of modernizing traditional industries and attracting a new generation of workers, TIPCO remains committed to this mission. We are cultivating a culture where employees think like owners, fostering an environment ripe with innovation and growth.

TIPCO is proud to continue serving as a foundational pillar of American industry. We are not just a company with a storied past; we are a dynamic, future-focused leader driving America forward. Here’s to remaining at the forefront of America’s industrial sector through 2088, our 200-year anniversary, and beyond as a true Engine of America!

Belt Power is a tight knit, customer-oriented company that gets things done. We fabricate, install and provide custom conveyor belt solutions on which food, building supplies, consumer goods and pharmaceutical products are all transported.

Many of our customers are household names that have unique needs when it comes to the belts they use in a variety of manufacturing and distribution processes. This customization requires a high level of craftsmanship – a sophisticated and technological process in what we create. What makes our company special, though, is our culture. Our company is filled with people who are willing and love to help each other. Our employees care deeply about the customer, which we have found to be our most important attribute. If we need to come in late at night to fabricate or install a belt on a holiday, we do. With the decline of skilled labor in our country, our ability to not only produce the belts but install them for our customers with great frequency is something other companies don’t do.

As a testament to this customer-first approach, we have grown rapidly over the past number of years. Last year alone we added 400 customers and several branches in new geographies. We operate as far west as Seattle and Phoenix, and we cover much of the Midwest, Gulf, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. As a further indication of our company values, much of our growth results from word-of-mouth referrals and recommendations from our customers and suppliers.

There are challenges to the work we do, one of which is finding the human capital that can not only fabricate our belts but do so with the personal characteristics that fit our culture. To help mitigate the problem – and excite young people about our work – we visit technical schools and educate students about the work we are doing. We aren’t a traditional distributor or manufacturer; rather, we are more of a problem-solving organization, which means the work we do varies daily.

Our work happens at the local level, allowing us to respond to our customers more quickly than our competitors and better understand their specific needs. Ultimately, it all comes back to the fact that the people we hire, the culture we have, and our customer-first approach are what help us find success.

Belt Power is an Engine of America because we focus on the essence of what it means to be in business: taking care of our customers, our employees and products that we create and deliver.