Founded by Stanley E. Krueger as an engineering services firm in 1968,
UMI / Universal Metrics, Incorporated and it’s unique divisions maintain a
corporate culture where flexibility to adapt and respond to customer’s
needs is its strongest asset. Through the years, UMI has added
equipment, personnel and facilities in response to those changing
requirements, and now in its 2nd generation ownership, UMI continues to
create value for our business partners and opportunities for the company
and its employees to succeed and grow.
1968 —Universal Fabricators, Incorporated (UniFab) is founded in Butler,
Wisconsin as an engineering firm, partnering with local shops as needed for
production
1976 —Metric Fasteners, Incorporated (MFI) is founded as importer and
wholesaler of metric-dimensioned fasteners and tooling to meet a growing
demand for metric products in the US market. Warehousing space is leased off of Flagg Street in Milwaukee.
1980 —Company acquires in-house production capabilities in both fabricating and machining, breaks ground on new facility in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
1984 —Company adds CNC turning and machining to its growing range of manufacturing capabilities
1988 —Company adds on to Menomonee Falls facility, expanding warehouse to 30,000 Sq.Feet
1988 —Universal Metrics, Incorporated (UMI) is chartered, bringing MFI and UniFab together into a single entity to streamline operations, control expenses, and redefine the brand of the hardware division as marketing shifts from OEM’s to distributors.
1988 —UMI enters into relationship with Agrati SpA of Milano Italy, becoming the primary point of distribution in the US for Agrati’s high-quality metric hardware, marketing exclusively to other fastener wholesalers.
1994 —UMI adds 30,000 Sq.Feet to Menomonee Falls campus, making room for manufacturing division growth.
1995 —UMI begins importing hardware directly from Asian manufacturers
2001 —UMI is acquired by Steven K. Krueger and Stanley E. Krueger retires to Florida to play golf and get away from Wisconsin winters
2002 —UMI begins transition from wholesale hardware distributor over to manufacturer with acquisition of robotic welding and powder-coat capabilities
2004 —UMI acquires its first laser
2007 —UMI acquires its first CNC back-gauge, multi-axis press brake
2008 —UMI acquires the building and assets of PressWeld Corporation, moving the Mobility Division to Sussex, and the manufacturing capabilities of PressWeld to Menomonee Falls.
2010 —UMI acquires its first live-tooling CNC turning center
2011 —UMI acquires a 40,000 Sq.Foot production facility in Richfield and moves its first-operations (profiling / sawing) to new home
2012 —UMI acquires FLOW 5-axis waterjet cutter
2012 —UMI phases out the Metrics division
2013 —UMI is awarded ISO 9001:2008 certification
2014 —Explore partnering with 3rd parts logistics company for mobility division warehousing
2015 —Sell Sussex facility, adopting lean principles in mobility operations
2015 —Acquire Mazak Optiflex fiber laser
2016 —Acquire Yama-Seiki BM-1200 machining center
2016 —Acquire Cosen C510MNC Horizontal mitering saw
2016 —Install WorkWise-ERP V9.9 enterprise software
2016 —Acquire IGM RRMK-RP2 welding cell
2017 —Introduced the Universal Dolly, the Smart Cart, the ARC and the Modular Tooling Cart
2018 —Consolidated Richfield and Menomonee Falls facilities under one roof at Whittaker Way
2018 —Moved Mobility Division to New Berlin
2018 —Officially launched WorkWise at our mobility location in New Berlin