To understand why 2010 was such a big year for us on the frontiers of sustainability, it’s important to look where we’ve come from. InPro Corporation was the first company in our industry to understand the importance of working toward sustainable and green initiatives.  We modestly started 15 years ago in 1995 with our industry’s first pre-consumer vinyl recycling process, followed in 1998 by being only the fifth manufacturer to embrace and join the USCGB.  In 2001 we launched InPro’s EnviroGT™ line, our industry’s first non-PVC line of door and wall protection products as we began building our successful “Choices” program. That year we also launched our industry’s first post-consumer Vinyl Recycling Program.  In 2002 we introduced HDPE and Forest Stewardship Council wood into door and wall protection, followed in 2003 by a BuildingGreen Top-10 New Green Products Award.  In 2004 we delivered the industry’s first AIA-approved green continuing education program. In 2005, we introduced rapidly renewable bamboo into our EnviroGT line, followed in 2006 by beginning the manufacture of solid surface products to enhance sustainable building interiors.  InPro was the first in our industry to introduce a line of BPA-free PETG products in 2007, which was the precursor to our remarkable 2010 breakthrough – the introduction of our exclusive G2 Blend™ made from BioPolyPETG+™ material that combines a plant-based biopolymer and recycled content. Unquestionably, this delivered the best green product in our markets. For the past 15 years, InPro has led our industry in green initiatives and our passion and resolve to help this planet we all live on will never subside.

Over the years InPro Corporation has won many awards. The reason InPro competes for awards is not because we like to hang plaques on walls, but because it makes us better. By competing for awards against other great companies, the employees of InPro become better themselves. And, it is through this process that InPro employees continue to provide award-winning products and service to its many customers. The year 2009 was no exception as InPro received a Future 50 Award from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce, COSBE and the BizTimes; a Top Milwaukee Workplaces from the Business Journal, as well as the Business Journal’s 2009 Fastest Growing Firms. Because of the sustained growth at InPro, 2009 saw a 6% increase in employees and the installation of the largest automated solid surface manufacturing line in the United States, if not the world. InPro was also busy in 2009 bringing to market dozens of new products across all divisions, including additions to its industry leading green product offerings.

With 2008 being “the year of the bad economy” for many businesses, InPro had another outstanding year. The employees of InPro chose not to participate in the economic downturn and ended the year with a strong 16.2% increase in sales and an employee expansion of 45 people. Being the first company in the State of Wisconsin with on-site training for the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council Certification, InPro’s Department of Strategic Employee Development continues to lead the way in dedicated training for employees at all levels. The year also saw InPro again receive Milwaukee Magazine’s Best Places to Work Award and another ADEX Award (Award for Design Excellence) from Design Journal. For strong continued growth the company received the Small Business Times Future 50 Award and the Business Journal’s Mid-Market Growth Award.   

This was another year to honor the employees at InPro with The Society for Human Resources Management and the Great Places to Work Institute recognizing InPro as the 21st Best Medium-size Company to Work for in America. We also opened InPro University, an educationally based daycare center for employees’ children. On the business, side InPro integrated the recently acquired Lippert solid surface and cultured marble business into the IPC Interior Protection Products and Decorative Surfaces division, and the SignScape Signage and Wayfinding division under the new name InPro Decorative Surfaces. The surfaces integration added 118 new colors and patterns. Other highlights of 2007 saw our SignScape division move from a 4,000 sq. ft. facility to a new 10,000 sq. ft. facility; the construction and opening of the InPro Gallery, showcasing our products in seven room vignettes; taking the color palette of our high-impact products from 60 to 100 colors shipped in 10 days or less; and a 21 percent growth in revenue over the prior year. 2007 also saw Phil Ziegler take over as President of the company, assuming responsibility for the tactical side of the business, while Steve Ziegler concentrates on the strategic side as Chief Executive Officer.

In 2006 InPro purchased Lippert Corporation, adding decorative surfaces and finishes into our product offering with LIPPERT(R) Cultured Marble, PRISM(R) Solid Surface, and SUNCAST Cultured Marble(TM). Our 2005 Best Places to Work was affirmed by a 2006 Great Places to Work award by the Business Journal, and our award winning in-house Marketing and Design Services Department won three more Awards of Excellence from the Business Marketing Association, bringing the total of their awards to seven.

The company finished construction of its new distribution center and moved all warehouse materials and staff in November of the year. But expanding the physical plant is only part of InPro’s amazing growth. The company also undertook a substantial expansion of both its direct-sales force and sales support team, which increased the entire sales organization by some 25%. Two capstones for 2005 were reaching a new record in revenues and receiving another ADEX Platinum award for our new Silhouette™ handrail.

InPro’s sustained customer and employee growth necessitated expansion of InPro Corporation’s world headquarters in Muskego, Wisconsin. In 2004 the company broke ground on a new 102,000-square-foot addition, which will add 24,000 square feet of office and 78,000 square feet of manufacturing and distribution space. The year also saw substantial expansion and enhancements to product offerings, including additions to the award winning EnviroGT line and new metal wall protection products in the IPC Door and Wall Protection Division, expanded fabric offerings in Clickeze, and extensive product design enhancements in JointMaster and SignScape.

BuildingGreen, Inc., the nation’s leading resource in the field of environmentally responsible design and construction named InPro Corporation’s EnviroGT line as one of the Top 10 new green building products. According to BuildingGreen, the EnviroGT line of handrails, wall guards and corner guards was singled out for recognition for its use of 100 percent recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood.

InPro’s 2002 achievements helped it form yet another new business platform. These events included the complete restructuring of InPro’s 118 member sales department, the introduction of the industry’s first comprehensive recycling program; being recognized with a prestigious marketing industry award, the Bell Award; development of EnviroGT an extensive line of environmentally friendly and sustainable handrail, wall guard and corner guard systems; the internal development of a completely new division, InPro Signscape Signage and Wayfinding, which compliments two of InPro’s other three divisions; and revised divisional logos.

InPro Corporation expands its product offering by acquiring and purchasing assets of two new product lines. The company acquired Clickeze, a leading cubicle tracking and curtain product line originally from Pennsylvania. InPro also purchased JointMaster Architectural Joint Systems and relocated the operations from California. JointMaster provides expansion joints and fire barriers used in all types of building projects in the United States and worldwide.