Winner
Manufacturing
The future seems to be bright for Michigan Automatic Turning, Inc., led by President Pete Lazic, who has been able to transform it from a low production company into a powerhouse in the gear and shaft industry for off-road and agricultural machinery.
Through the incorporation of new technology, Lazic has cut costs while maintaining quality, allowing him room for growth. But Lazic looks to grow his company, he has mostly stayed away from rapid growth. Large automotive manufacturers have approached Lazic with opportunities that would have allowed for accelerated growth, but Lazic has turned them down.
Lazic isn’t adverse to risk, but he strives to closely manage it. Through numerous risky yet smart business decisions, he has fine-tuned every aspect of his business with his vision of a vertically integrated operation housed entirely under one roof. He has made it his mission to cater only to the specific niche of off-road and agricultural machinery, embracing the idea that a business should pick one thing and work to be the best at it.
Lazic’s common-sense approach to risk has allowed him to capitalize on opportunities created by another company’s financial turmoil. Lazic recently bought a financially struggling competing company at a large discount, allowing Lazic to add momentum to his vertically integrated company plan. The acquisition allowed him to cut costs and production times while increasing the quality of his products.
Lazic also instills his work ethic in his employees, issuing bonuses to each employee based on overall individual performance, helping to raise the performance bar throughout the organization.
How to reach: Michigan Automatic Turning, Inc., (248) 437-7200 or www.michiganautomaticturning.com