Success Story

In March 2009, Veethree Indication Instruments Limited, an international
company with multiple U.S. locations, expanded its operations to include a global
engineering facility by purchasing the gauge division of Teleflex Inc. in Manatee,
Florida. The new operation – Veethree Electronics and Marine, LLC –
immediately and positively impacted Manatee’s economy by saving the jobs of
50 former Teleflex employees.

Veethree immediately began to look for ways to operate more efficiently,
maximize its potential customer base, increase environmental and safety
standards and raise the bar for quality. But to accomplish these goals, Veethree’s
new and existing workers needed additional training. ISO certification – an
internationally recognized standard for measuring and managing organizational
quality – provided a solution to the company’s needs.

In an effort to offset the cost of providing employees with the ISO training needed
to develop the skills to realize these goals, Allen reached out to Workforce
Florida to apply for a Quick Response Training Grant in May 2009. The grant –
more than $50,000 – was approved soon after.

“In today’s economy, companies must work smart to be competitive – without a
stable, well-trained workforce it’s just not possible,” said Plant Manager Bill
Allen.” Adding new equipment, technologies and products all require additional
training – having access to the funds to enhance employees’ capabilities benefits
is a benefit and incentive to them and to us.”

By the end of November, all of the plant’s 55 employees had attended an ISO
orientation session and 14 Veethree employees from various disciplines had
attended a two-day Internal Auditor Training class. Armed with the knowledge to
conduct quality internal audits, Veethree employees now are working to help the
company prepare for the intensive final audit and certification the summer of
2010.

“The Quick Response Training Grant program helped us to make a solid
investment in its future of our company, our employees and the Florida’s
manufacturing industry,” Allen said.