ACI reached a recent milestone in their donation efforts by surpassing $20,000 for a single event.  This year ACI stayed with their focus on a cure for cancer, specifically colorectal cancer.  Through the group effort of ACI’s employees, their vendors, their customers, and the charitable individuals that donated to their cause, ACI was able to make a huge leap forward in its efforts.  It could be difficult for a company the size of ACI to maintain that level, but it sounds like they will be ready.

“This shows you that small and medium sized companies can make a difference.  We enjoy a challenge and the rewards for our efforts are immeasurable,” said Chad Schwenn, Marketing Manager of Automation Components, Inc.

“I could not be more proud of the efforts of the ACI Team.  It’s not always easy for people to step outside of their comfort zone to ask for support.  Our team did that and much more!” said Troy Schwenn, President of Automation Components, Inc.

Janie Winston from the UW Carbone Cancer Center visited ACI during its fundraiser bowling event and had this to say about ACI, “The Carbone Cancer Center is so grateful for the fundraising efforts at ACI. It is clear to us that they have come together more than the average co-workers to raise much needed funds for cancer research. It has been so great to work with them and see the record breaking dollars they continue to raise”.

The ACI Team has made the commitment to raise donations and awareness on an annual basis for several past causes including; Breast Cancer, Rectal Cancer, Brain Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Second Harvest Foodbank, and the American Family Children’s Hospital. 

Pictured holding the check from left to right: Doni Krasniqi (ACI), Janie Winston (UW Carbone Cancer Center) and Troy Schwenn (President of ACI) along with ACI employees that participated or donated.

Chad Schwenn and John Kolinski from ACI are pictured with Dan Stein, President and CEO of Second Harvest Foodbank.

WISCONSIN DELLS, WI-More than 125 of the top business people from around the state of Wisconsin attended Corporate Report Wisconsin's 7th annual Best of Wisconsin Business Awards luncheon on June 10, 2011 at the Kalahari Resort in the Wisconsin Dells. This year nearly 2,000 readers cast their votes online to determine the winners. The awards were emceed by Wisconsin Public Radio's Terry Bell and Stephanie Elkins, where they announced the platinum, gold, and silver winners in each of 28 categories.

Automation Components, Inc. is proud to announce they've won two Best of Wisconsin Business Awards; “Best Company for Philanthropy or Community Service” and “Most Admired Company in Wisconsin”.

“It was a great honor to have businesses and customers in Wisconsin acknowledge us. ACI is comprised of individuals who care about our company, our products, our community, and of course, our customers. We will do our best to live up to these expectations and our own lofty goals”, said Troy Schwenn, President and Owner of Automation Components, Inc.

http://crwmag.com/issue/june-2011/article/meet-the-winners-of-the-2011-best-of-wisconsin-business-awards

Through the charitable efforts of ACI, friends and family members of ACI's employees, and ACI's vendors, over $13,000 was donated to the UW Carbone Cancer Center for pancreatic research on February 22nd, 2011.  Cancer research has been an ongoing theme to ACI's charitable events since 2005.  ACI has had several employees impacted by this deadly disease, so a cure for cancer will always be a reoccurring target for ACI's charity. 

This year, ACI had 72 employees participate at a bowling event in Fitchburg on February 4th, 2011.  The event is organized by volunteers at ACI and ACI, the company, picks up the tab for the food, soda, and bowling aspects of the event.  In recent years, Troy Schwenn, ACI's President, has more than matched the combined donations to make a greater impact on a future cure. 

In honor of ACI's donation to pancreatic cancer and continued support of cancer research at the UW Carbone Cancer Center, the center will name a research lab in their facility.

Troy Schwenn, President/Owner of ACI, receiving an acknowledgement plaque from Kristine Thompson at the American Family Children's Hospital. (Also shown from ACI are Chad Schwenn and Doni Krasniqi)

American Family Children's Hospital would like to extend its deepest thanks to Automation Components, Inc. (ACI), which recently hosted a bowling fundraiser for American Family Children's Hospital.

The corporation's employees, family and friends rallied behind the cause of helping the most vulnerable among us – the children. The Children's Hospital was chosen by ACI employees in an effort to show support for one of their own.

Together, they raised $10,000 to name a Hematology/Oncology patient exam room at the Children's Hospital.

Kristine Thompson, development program coordinator at the hospital, said, "ACI is far more than a corporation. It's a family and they clearly have great empathy for their own and others. It was inspiring to witness the compassion and kindness shown by this tremendous group of individuals. We are most grateful for their wonderful support."

American Family Children's Hospital thanks Troy Schwenn, Chad Schwenn and all of our friends at ACI for their great passion and for making such a meaningful difference for the children.

ACI was inspired to reach out to the American Family Children's Hospital this February in the form of a bowling benefit.  This year's event was a joint effort between ACI, sixty ACI employees, and six of ACI's vendors. The "ACI Team" used this opportunity to donate to this worthwhile cause and rose over $10,000 for it.  In addition, the "ACI Team" also set aside over $1,400 for Ovarian Cancer Research.

This plaque is on the 2nd floor of the American Family Children's Hospital (Exam Room 5) honoring that donation ACI gave in 2010.(Left Picture)

Interior of Examination Room 5 at the American Family Children's Hospital (right Picture)

The Adopt a Highway Program offers us:

-Team building

-Taking pride in cleaning up our local community

-Taking pride in our company and sharing that with the community

The stretch of Highway that ACI will be sponsoring is on Highway Q (just north of Middleton's city limits).  Two signs will be posted with our company's name for this stretch of road.

HYP (Habitat for Young Professionals)Member Spotlight            
Matt Wagner
Hi there! My name is Matt Wagner and I am the Quality Manager for Automation Components, Inc (ACI), a leading HVAC sensor and transmitter manufacturer located in Middleton. The most enjoyable part of my job comes from the variety of work I get to do.  Whether it's working with our production staff on process improvements, working with upper management to change the way we do things or investigating issues for our customers, I enjoy solving all types of problems.  Although two different worlds, ACI and HYP both offer great opportunities to help improve your skills and make a difference.

I've only been a member since last fall but thanks to the great people that attend the monthly socials I quickly discovered the many opportunities HYP has to offer.  I'm currently involved in the golf outing, events, volunteer, and membership committees.  It may sound like a lot but it really only means that Wednesday after work I get to meet with new people for an hour and discuss how we can spread our message and continue to help families in need of affordable housing.

Although I enjoy working with my family doing odds and ends (decks, framing, drywall, etc.), let's just say that Habitat does a little bit better of a job explaining the details at build days.  They give clear instructions and make sure that you're comfortable with what you're doing, in general they're just great people to work with.  The skills that I've learned at the build days, meeting great people and getting the opportunity to help others are some of the many reasons why I really enjoy being a part of Habitat for Young Professionals.  

Hope to see you at one of the next events!

Matt Wagner 
Automation Components, Inc
Quality Manager