Manufacturing Today recently interviewed Dane Manufacturing’s President and CEO Troy F. Berg highlighting Dane’s 100+ year legacy. In the interview, Troy explained how the company has embraced change and implemented advanced technologies to fulfill the increasingly complex requirements of our manufacturing partners. The article also highlights how Dane’s focus on people and quality has enabled the company to be a reliable metal fabrication and contract manufacturing partner.
You’ve probably heard it a million times: “The customer comes first!” Indeed, any successful business has to place an emphasis on meeting the needs of its customers. Our customers are extremely important to us, and their success ultimately fuels the growth of our company. As a result we place a unique emphasis on developing close partnerships with them. However we adopt a unique methodology of delivering on these expectations and close relationships.
Employees come first.
Fueled by the passion of our CEO Troy Berg, we’ve emphasized company culture, employee investment and engagement. We create an environment that makes our teams feel valued, which in turn leads to a passionate workforce who is able to deliver the high levels of service and quality that foster strong relationships with our customers.
Watch the video below to hear directly from Troy about the unique business philosophy that is driving our success! Want to learn more, or see our people-first approach in action? Contact Us.
Over the course of our 100 year history as a contract manufacturer and metal fabricator, our mission has been focused on enriching the lives of our employees, our customers and our community.
In order to do all of those things, Dane has to continue growing. We are continually looking forward, forcasting the needs of our customers, and investing in innovative technologies that will grow our capacity and increase our ability to partner with our customers. Since our move to our new facility in 2021, we’ve continually invested in top-of-the-line equipment and have built one of the most advance smart facilities in the United States. Continuing on that mission, we have several new and exciting pieces of technologies coming to our facility in 2025. We hope our customers will be excited about these new additions, and our ongoing pursuit to provide growing capacity and exceptional contract manufacturing and metal fabrication services.
Trumpf TruBend 8400
Arrived October 2024
The Trumpf TruBend 8400 is the latest generation of the Trumpf TruBend series. It functions at high speeds, is suitable for large or heavy dimensions and adds efficiency to our facility.
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Trumpf TruBend 2100
Arriving December 2024
Extending our current lineup of Trumpf press brakes, the 10′ TruBend 2100 will add capacity and continue our standard for precise, quality bends.
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Trumpf TruLaser Tube 5000
Arriving February 2025
Our new state-of-the-art tube laser increases our capability and capacity while reducing production times through more efficient production. It features RapidCut technology, bevel cut capability, automatic loading and is very versatile.
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Starmatic Robotic Unloading System
Arriving April 2025
This is an advanced addition to our TruBend 7030 that enables automatic robotic palletization. It includes a state of the art robotic arm for automated loading and unloading and further adds capability to our state-of-the-art automated production capability.
See It In Action
Robotic Trubend Cell 5000
Arriving May 2025
This universal bending cell includes a Trumpf 5130 press brake and enables 100% unattended automation capabilities. It is extremely precise, and features a wide range of capabilities suitable for small and large parts.
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Our capabilities guide includes Dane’s history, a brief overview of our core capabilities, and a snapshot of some of our key equipment. Take a peek to get a closer look inside our state-of-the-art facility. We’re constantly improving our facility, investing in technology and expanding our capabilities. Don’t see what you are looking for? Contact Us and let us know.
Dane Manufacturing was established in 1917 by a group of local investors looking to develop and manufacture a below the frost line water pump. Throughout its 100 year history, Dane has adapted through numerous major historical moments in US history including the Great Depression, World War II and Vietnam, and adapted to major innovations from the toggle light switch (1917) to advanced robotics and automation of today.
Dane’s First Logo Featuring The Can’t Clog Hog Feeder
Humble Beginnings
Dane was started on May 28th, 1917, by a group of founders who set out to invent and manufacture a below-the-frost-line water pump that could withstand the freezing Wisconsin winters. After a few short years, their participation in the agriculture industry paved the way for a new product line. By 1920, Dane’s primary product was an automatic supply hog feeder that had been invented and patented by Robert Otmere Dohm, the majority shareholder of Dane Manufacturing at that time. The hog feeder, appropriately named “The Can’t Clog Hog Feeder”, became a staple throughout the industry. After a successful run, the company branched out to other areas, including metal fabrication, paving the way for what the company has become today.
Adapting Through Adversity
Dane successfully navigated through the Great Depression which began in 1929, but a number of factors threatened their company soon after. By 1941, the original patent on the Can’t Clog Hog Feeder had run out and nearly every manufacturer dealing in farm equipment had entered the market with a similar rotary feeder. Despite the growing competition, Dane stuck to its primary focus, providing a high-quality product while maintaining production efficiency. Further complicating matters, WWII had begun and the industry saw skyrocketing steel prices and a shortage of supply.
Though the Dane team successfully navigated the increased competition and supply chain challenges during the start of WWII, operations ceased June 30, 1942 in compliance with restrictions from the Federal War Reparations Board. Even so, Dane leadership was not idle. Faced with growing competition, material shortages, and increased labor costs when operations would resume, Dane leadership planned investments in new equipment and modernized manufacturing methods. Following 15 months of closure, Dane was able to reopen October, 1943, and production resumed. Despite continued material shortages and uncertainty, Dane’s boldness and innovation positioned it to deliver the quality and operational efficiency that would keep it competitive for years to come.
Accelerated Growth
Bolstered by a strategic approach to navigating numerous difficult business situations, Dane’s focused growth continued for the next 20 years. By the mid 1960s, gross sales had surpassed $250,000 and the company continued to focus on facility expansion and plant optimization by adding another 6,500 square feet of manufacturing space.
Troy Berg, Dane Manufacturing in the early 2000s
In 2001, Dane Manufacturing and its 12 employees were acquired by its third owner Troy F. Berg. At the time, Dane was a relatively small metal fabricator but the opportunity intrigued him. Troy told his crew of 12 people at Dane, “The world doesn’t know who we are now, but they will hear from us soon”. His vision was to put the company on the map as a premier metal manufacturing company.
At the time, Dane’s business was largely concentrated in small stamped parts and sheet metal ductwork used in the housing industry. Planning for growth and diversification into new markets, Troy figured out a way to invest in his business and bought the first new machine. Troy’s bold management style and leadership positioned the company well for double digit revenue growth up through 2007. Then, realizing that the economy was about to tank, Troy carefully considered his options. Similar to the leadership of Dane decades before him, Troy used the worsening business conditions as an opportunity to adapt and innovate. He made the bold decision to expand by purchasing a second company focused on acquiring their clientele and increasing volume for Dane. Through both organic and inorganic growth, Dane reached nearly 10 million in annual revenue by 2010, more than 7 times the size when he bought the company. The growth trajectory continued through aggressive expansion efforts and a continued investment in technology. Today, Dane Manufacturing is annually listed in the Fabricator’s Top 40 list, recognizing the top 40 metal fabricators in the United States and has been recognized on the Inc. 5000 list for fastest growing companies six times.
A Culture of Innovation and Boldness Continues
Dane’s history is rooted in innovation, a tone set by its earliest leadership, when they pioneered a new technology for the agriculture industry and navigated their way through the Great Depression and WWII. This mindset continues today and serves as the backbone for how we serve our customers.
In 2021, Dane moved from its long-time factory in Dane, WI to the neighboring town of Waunakee, WI. The new 510,000 square feet of space paved the way for a number of operational improvements, plant layout strategies and new capital investments, all made with an eye towards better serving our customers. In April 2023, Dane completed installation of a STOPA automated material handling system. Combined with integrated Trumpf equipment, we are able to unlock fully automated processes thereby expanding production capability and efficiency. We’ve also acquired and installed our own Class A paint line which added in-house finishing capabilities for our customers. We continue to invest in technology by adding equipment and capabilities to meet the needs and future requirements of our growing customer base.
Over the course of our 100 year history as a contract manufacturer and metal fabricator, our mission has been focused on innovation, adapting to our customer’s needs and operational excellence. Today we offer award-winning end-to-end contract manufacturing solutions that are tailored to the unique needs of each of our customers. The combination of our operational excellence, highly skilled workforce and state-of-the-art factory, delivers unparalleled performance to our customers. We aren’t planning to stop there. Like our predecessors, we continue to place an emphasis on future oriented strategic planning, technological advancement and employee development. As a result, we keep getting better.
Want to Learn More About Us? Contact Us.
In 2022 we began an aggressive capital equipment investment strategy that included long-term strategic planning with Trumpf to design a state-of-the-art smart factory. This long-term strategy was completed with our customers in mind, growing capacity, efficiency and reliability.
With our original vision now implemented and in operation, we operate with fully automated capability thanks to our collaboration with Trumpf. Our STOPA Automated Material Handling System along with our high-end Trumpf equipment is seamlessly integrated into our current production operations and offered numerous benefits including autonomous material handling, real-time inventory management, that truly unlocked unattended automated production. This project has resulted in a 52% increase in machine usage and a 48 hour up-time improvement on production start times adding efficiency and capacity for our growing customer base.
Take a closer look at our facility and capability through the spotlight video below. Want to learn more, or come see it for yourself? Contact Us.
As National Manufacturing Month comes to a close, Dane Manufacturing wraps up the celebration by highlighting our Engineering team. Our engineering team performs a critical role during our production process and directly impacts the efficiency and quality of our performance for our customers.
The success of the Engineering team is built on collaboration. From the time we receive a customer’s designs, their work begins. They review each specification, develop production plans, and address any missing details. As each design is sent out to the manufacturing floor, the Engineering team is actively engaging with the shop floor and incorporating feedback on their designs to ensure the parts created are optimized for efficiency, ease of production and meet the customer’s specifications.
With the customer’s product in mind our team pays close attention to precision, quality designs and performance efficiency. Whether it is a small, simple part or a complex data center build, we’re proud of the skill and dedication that our Engineering team brings to every project, and we’re delighted to celebrate their contributions for National Manufacturing Month!
Want to learn more about our Engineering department or our other capabilities? Contact Us.
As Dane Manufacturing continues the celebration of National Manufacturing Month, we are highlighting our team in the Form department. The Form team at Dane is responsible for bending, twisting, and shaping flat metal into complex, precise sheet components with precision and accuracy. Attention to every detail is critical to meet customer expectations and eliminate waste.
To enable their outstanding work, our forming team utilizes state-of-the-art equipment including a number of press brakes and panel bending machines from industry-leading solutions provider, Trumpf. Our premium equipment allows the team to provide a wide range of capabilities and to meet the highest levels of precision and accuracy for our customers.
But the equipment is only part of the solution. Before starting any production, our highly trained team thoroughly examines the job specifications to ensure the parts have been prepared and cut correctly. Evaluating each job, the team selects the correct equipment and software to begin the bending process, focusing on accuracy, efficiency and safety. A crucial first-part check is performed before any production run to verify that the part meets the customer’s exact specifications, and it is signed off only by an authorized supervisor to ensure everything is perfectly set before full production begins.
When it comes to the overall quality our customers have come to rely on, their skills and expertise step up to the plate every time. Our Form team performs regular checks throughout the manufacturing process and utilizes calipers, height gauges and go/no go fixtures to ensure parts meet the required specifications. We value their keen attention to detail, commitment to precision, and the pride they take in their craftmanship. We are excited to celebrate Manufacturing Month with them! Want to learn more about our form department or other capabilities? Contact Us.
As Dane Manufacturing celebrates National Manufacturing Month, we shine a spotlight on some of our special team members. To kick things off, we are calling attention to the team that runs our Class A powder coating paint line.
Our in-house paint line is where raw, unpolished parts are transformed into durable, high-quality finished products. This transformation occurs in our top-of-of-the-line paint line that features a precisely controlled environmental room, efficient ovens, paint reclaim processes and more than 30 plus finishes. Our skilled paint team is responsible for the quality results we provide our customers.
By using precise measurements like thickness gauges, hardness pencils, MEK rub tests, and adhesion tests, our paint team works tirelessly to deliver flawless, long-lasting finishes that surpass industry standards and regulatory requirements. What truly sets our paint line team apart is their pride in their work. Our team understands that the finish on the products we manufacture isn’t just a cosmetic detail—it’s a critical factor in the product’s durability and performance. Their attention to detail and their commitment to quality ensure that every product that leaves our facility meets the highest standards our customers expect.
With the recent addition of a third shift this past summer, our team can meet the increasing demands without compromising on the quality our customers require. We’re proud of the dedication, craftsmanship and attention to detail our paint team brings to Dane every day! Want to learn more about our paint line or other capabilities? Contact Us.
In 2022 TRUe a publication produced by Trumpf, sat down to discuss Dane Manufacturing and hear directly from our President and CEO Troy Berg about the impact of partnerships and our relationship with Trumpf which is over two decades old. From the first equipment purchase to the execution of our vision for a fully automated factory, our collaborative relationship with Trumpf continues to drive our pursuit of growth and innovation.
Article Excerpt:
Today, Dane Manufacturing is located in the Wisconsin town of Waunakee, named a “fair and pleasant valley” by the Ho-Chunk Native Americans who originally hunted and fished the region. But the company was still six miles to the north, in the village of Dane, when its partnership with TRUMPF began more than two decades ago. It was shortly after 9/11 when Troy Berg attended the 2001 FABTECH show in Chicago and discovered TRUMPF equipment. Berg had just purchased Dane Manufacturing with its ten employees and little over $1 million in sales from the widowed half of a husband-and-wife team, and he was looking to expand into fabrication. Little did Berg realize then how his relationship with TRUMPF – and his business – would dramatically expand in the years ahead.
