Top Workplaces: Blast Cleaning Technologies recognized for the first time

A decade ago, as many U.S.-based equipment manufacturers continued to move operations overseas, Carl Panzenhagen focused on filling the gaps left behind in the domestic market.

As president and CEO of Blast Cleaning Technologies, Panzenhagen took the business from a service and support organization for shot blast systems to a full-fledged manufacturer in 2012. The company started with 30 employees at a single West Allis location, and has since grown to around 250 personnel and is in the process of expanding to a new facility.

Today, Blast Cleaning Technologies calls itself the fastest-growing provider of shot blast equipment in the United States.

“Growth is always challenging,” Panzenhagen said in an email. “But the end result is we’ve been able [to] build a business driven by great people supporting a large variety of U.S. and North American companies.”

This year, Blast Cleaning Technologies was named one of the top midsize businesses on Southeast Wisconsin’s Top Workplaces list for the first time.

Here's what you need to know about the company:

Customer focus: Equipment used in a variety of industries

Shot blasting is a mechanical cleaning process that is used in a wide variety of industries. Blast Cleaning Technologies makes shot blast equipment for customers in fields such as automotive, agriculture, foundry, forging, metal fabrication, defense, and energy. 

The company says it prioritizes using components made in the U.S., and seeks to innovate their shot blast systems beyond what’s normally available to customers. They also provide services to upgrade and replace older equipment, with a goal of creating “enduring customer partnerships,” according to the company.

That means a lifetime of constant innovation.

“We never stop innovating, improving designs for simplicity, toughness and predictability,” Panzenhagen said in an email. “In today’s climate of fewer skilled trades and mechanical support employees we need to make our systems capable of running longer, with less maintenance and less burden on staff.”

Leadership: Company CEO Panzenhagen recognized

In addition to the company’s position on the Top Workplaces list, Panzenhagen also won a special award for leadership in this year’s competition. In surveys, employees gave the CEO top marks for inspiring confidence in the company’s leadership. 

One employee wrote that Panzenhagen’s motivation and drive is what really stands out. “[He] always makes time and is willing to hear what you have to say,” the employee added.

“Seeing Carl on the shop [floor] really gives a morale boost to the guys on the floor,” another employee said.

Many who answered the survey also described a work environment where they felt respected, appreciated, and trusted to do their jobs without being micromanaged. The work at Blast Cleaning Technologies is “challenging and ever-changing,” an employee said.

Core values : Focus on both customers and staff

Blast Cleaning Technologies’ main guiding principle is to “always do the right thing” for customers and staff. That means following a set of core values, called PACT for short.

PACT stands for passionate, accountable, customer focused, and team player. Employees are expected to be dependable, respectful, and do everything possible to meet customer commitments.

“Our team PACT is a line in the sand drawn to keep people positive and helpful with each other,” one employee wrote. 

Continued growth: Expansion of West Allis operation

In the past year, Blast Cleaning Technologies began work on a new 80,000 square foot facility in West Allis, which will house foundry operations and an expansion of machining operations.

“With this latest addition, we’ll be almost 90% vertically integrated, allowing BCT to control costs, availability and quality as well as meet the rising demand of our growing list of customers,” Panzenhagen said in an email.

Overall, the company says it is focused on long-term growth, believing that maintaining customer relationships and a commitment to keeping manufacturing in the U.S. is the way forward.