"Extreme" Excitement at AMBA Convention

Mike Zacharias, president of Extreme was presented with AMBA's Mold Builder of the Year Award by past winner Tim Bartz of Mold Craft (second from the right), and Glenn and Don Starkey of Award sponsor Progressive Components (on the ends).

With a theme of “Trigger Your Brilliance,” last month’s AMBA Annual Conference put the spotlight on ways mold building executives can improve their businesses--including leading-edge benchmarks, industry trends, and operational and financial best practices--but one of the true highlights was this year's Mold Builder of the Year recipient, who I consider more than an industry colleague.

I was introduced to Mike Zacharias, president of Extreme Tool & Engineering of Wakefield Michigan, back in 2005 when I learned the company started the same year MMT launched its premier issue (1998) and with the same number of employees (six). Since then MMT has covered the passion of this inspiring leader and the growth of the company and its determined team through articles and its two Leadtime Leader wins in 2006 and 2008.

The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, was the perfect setting for this esteemed Award that honors individuals in an industry dedicated to American innovation. During the presentation speech by last year's winner, Mold Craft's Tim Bartz, Mike was described as a true visionary with extraordinary passion for the mold, tool and die trade for more than three decades. He started as an apprenctice in the eighties and then progressed to mold designer, project engineer, project management and plant management. He was running a tool shop for annother owner when the business was sold and was then faced with the choice between working for someone else or starting his own business. He chose the latter, stating that it was the "best decision of his life, other than marrying his wife." Today the company employees 85 people in two facilities.

Mike is also very active in the industry and always willing to give back to those around him. Many in the industry are honored to call him a competitor and friend, and that includes me. Congratulations Mike!