How does a company go from 3 machines to 5 plants?
That’s easy: Delivering on a vision.
Bill Runzel IV started Lake Cable in the 1990’s on the west side of Chicago with just 3 machines for making wire – and a staff of four people. Despite these humble beginnings, Bill had quite a few things going for him.
For one, he comes from a family that’s been in the wire business for over 100 years and 4 generations. So let’s just say he knows a thing or two about making great wire.
Second, he knew that he wouldn’t become the most trusted name in the industry by being the biggest name. He would have to innovate in ways other wire manufacturers couldn’t. It was no small order:
- He’d have to be faster, offering the shortest lead times in the industry
- He’d have to deliver more consistently than anyone
- He’d have to have a process that would outsmart traditional manufacturing
- He’d have to hire the best people and cross-train them
- He’d have to implement a system to eliminate project guesswork
- He’d have to cultivate relationships with customers by guiding them, not merely serving them
