Exploring Cooperatives: Economic Democracy & Community Development Philadelphia June 13, © 2011 Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing

Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing A worker owned cooperative, located in Madison, Wisconsin Concept> Design> Build Custom automation equipment 2© 2011 Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing

Introduction 3© 2011 Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing Established in 1980 Most business was local Approximately 50 employees 50% Mechanical and Electrical Engineers About 30 of the employees are members $15 Million annual sales

What We Do Industries Served 4© 2011 Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing Medical/PharmaceuticalConsumer ProductsLight Industrial Automotive Solar

What We Do Technologies 5© 2011 Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing Robotic Integration Assembly Web Handling Custom Machining Material Handling Vision Inspection

How does the work get done? 6© 2011 Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing Isthmus is a project-based company. All work comes in as a project. A scheduling committee selects individuals to work on each project. Each project has a team of workers responsible for completing the task. Average project life is weeks.

What We Do Project Example – Mouse Trap Assembly 7© 2011 Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing

What We Do Project Example – Capsule Assembly 8© 2011 Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing

What We Do Project Example – Pacifier Assembly 9© 2011 Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing

What We Do Project Example – Medical Product Assembly 10© 2011 Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing

What We Do Project Example – Line Bore 11© 2011 Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing

What We Do Project Example – Biscuit Loading 12© 2011 Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing

What We Do Project Example – Solar Module Sub-Assembly 13© 2011 Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing

What We Do Project Example – Fill and Seal 14© 2011 Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing

Co-op Structure 15© 2011 Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing Isthmus is a worker-owned cooperative. –The coop structure was inspired from the Mondragon cooperatives in Spain. Over 50% of Isthmus employees are also member- owners. All members sit on the Board of Directors. An Executive Committee is elected annually President Vice President The Board of Directors makes all administrative decisions (not project decisions). Secretary Treasurer

Co-op Structure 16© 2011 Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing Isthmus has a “flat” and “lean” management structure. –Most non-project work is done by committees. Managers (Sales Manager and General Manager) cannot be members. Otherwise, membership is open to all. Everyone starts as an employee for the first two years. After that time, they may apply to buy-in to ownership. 90% vote required from the membership to become an owner.

Governance 17© 2011 Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing

Cost of Governance 18© 2011 Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing

Conclusion 19© 2011 Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing Questions? We invite you to learn more about us : –