Tim Hutzelwas born into a blue collar family in a very small town in southwestern Ohio in 1945. His parents were Depression-era folk who survived by watching their pennies and working hard. Tim entered the workforce at age 14 doing odd jobs such as washing pots and pans at a neighborhood restaurant, operating kiddy rides at a small amusement park, delivering papers, and performing light factory work. Three years later, Tim joined the US Army at age 17 as a volunteer and learned the fine art of field artillery; he spent three years in West Germany helping keep the Russians on the east side of the Berlin Wall. Fifty plus years later Tim has accrued experiences that include three university degrees, 21 years employment at GE Aviation, 20 years self-employment helping businesses improve themselves, writing a book on how American companies can survive in the United States, serving as adjunct professor to Miami University's Schools of Engineering and the Farmer School of Business. And now, Tim has written this book with his good friend, Dave Lippert. Tim's age says retirement, but his actions prove differently; he continues to be involved with American businesses, helping them improve their operations and profitability.

Dave Lippert

grew up in southwestern Ohio in an industrious family that founded a manufacturing business in 1907, making and selling industrial casters, wheels, and carts. Currently, Hamilton Caster is in its fourth generation of family management. Dave spent his summers working in the family business and experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of the manufacturing floor. He earned his engineering degree at the US Air Force Academy and after serving six years in the Air Force, returned to Hamilton Caster to work under his dad, then the president. In 1995 Dave succeeded his father to become the company's fifth president, the position he now holds. Dave led his company to adopt the Toyota production system philosophy by creating the Hamilton Caster management system, a spin-off of what is commonly known as a Lean management system. In 1996, Hamilton Caster was awarded first place among Ohio small businesses for team excellence based on early experiences with Lean. Dave is unwaveringly dedicated to his family, church, company, community, and helping American businesses reach their full potential.