July / August - Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association

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who’s | who Manfred Niedernhoefer, Cheetah Precision, Inc. A “HUCK FINN” AdvENTURER by B Kyle Manfred Niedernhoefer, owner of Cheetah Precision, Inc. Manfred Niedernhoefer immigrated to the United States in 1962, at the age of 20. This article is but a glimpse into the life of a man who walked through Ellis Island not yet knowing English and who today—every day—walks through the doors of his own company. What motivated you to move to the United States? As a young man in 1956, I began to learn my trade at Busch Manufacturing, a foundry and machining company in Southern Germany. Training programs were in-house. Apprentices earned very little pay, something like $15 per week. We were taught and trained while earning that small wage, so it was expected that we work side jobs for extra money. When I left Germany, then, it was a matter of adventure. My favorite stories as a boy were about cowboys and Indians, and I loved Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. I longed to do such things for myself. Oddly enough, I also read Popular Mechanics because I loved cars. I would look at pictures of amazing Chevys and Fords … and I wanted one of them more than anything else. I wanted to see the world, perhaps drive an American car, and have a real adventure before I settled down back home. My older brother was already in Minnesota, running a painting business, which gave me a destination. So I made the decision to come to the United States—and go home again if I didn’t like it here. What were your first impressions upon your arrival? I came by boat, through Ellis Island. It was just so overwhelming to me. We were in a huge ship, I saw the Statue of Liberty in front of me, and when we got off the boat we were in lines that seemed to be a mile long through customs. I remember wandering around New York City and staring through a restaurant window at the most amazing sandwiches I had ever seen. I remember trying to buy one, though I didn’t yet speak any English. An elderly woman rescued me, sat me down, and fed me the best breakfast of my life: my first American bacon and eggs. On the train to Minnesota I was grateful for the beautiful scenery along the route, a refreshing change from the dreary, dark and unfriendly shipping docks and warehouses of New York’s waterfront. You see, I truly had expected to see the streets paved with gold. [Chuckle] I certainly had some adjusting to do on my way to Minnesota. How did you find your way into manufacturing? For the first 6 to 8 months, I was very uncertain about staying here. Every week I changed my mind. I was earning $2.25 an hour at work as a painter—not a lot to live on even though food was cheap and gas was 17 cents a gallon. Ultimately, I discovered the International Institute in Saint Paul, where I learned English. That place literally changed my life. I met quite a few German people there, among them being Benno Schubauer. He worked at Remmele Engineering. Benno asked if I had a job. It was a good question because, unlike in Germany, it was difficult to find work here in the 1960s. Benno introduced me to Fred Remmele. After one introductory conversation, Fred just looked at me and said, “When do you want to start?” That next Monday I had a job. I worked there for 11 years before I started my own company. What was your driving principle in starting your own company? I started Cheetah Precision, Inc. in 1978. We are a precision machine shop that has established a niche for itself in prototype work. I wanted to better myself and to provide a good life for my family. Starting my own company gave me more leverage to do so. And Fred Remmele was a very good example for me. He was deeply compassionate, very good to me and to all of his employees. And he had worked his way from the bottom up, creating an excellent company. I wanted that for myself as well. My goal always has been to be the best. I feel that’s what we try to do here—to do a fantastic job. I don’t look left or right, I don’t look at who’s catching up. I strive to be number one and stay that way. I love this country because, for the person willing to work hard enough, anything is possible. PM B Kyle is the vice president of business development at the Saint Paul Port Authority. She can be reached at blk@sppa.com. 10 | PRECISION MANUFACTURING July | August 2009
50 HRc + 35 hrs + 18 tools +/-1.7 microns = V33i Makino’s new V33i vertical machining center is the ultimate formula for success in hardmilling extremely accurate dies and molds out of extremely hard materials. The V33i has been specifically designed to achieve superior dynamic accuracy (up to 2-micron tool blends in this part) over long periods of continuous, unattended operation. To see the formula in action, watch our V33i Webinar at www.makino.com/v33i. WHERE NEW THINKING TAKES SHAPE. Your local distributor for MN, NE, IA, SD, ND and western WI is: Productivity Inc. 15150 25th Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55447 763.476.8600 www.productivity.com ©2009 Makino
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Page 3 and 4: TABLE | OF CONTENTS July|August 200
Page 5 and 6: your inbox before your mailbox Prec
Page 7 and 8: Cover | Minnesota TECHNOLOGy LANDSC
Page 9: Cover | Minnesota TECHNOLOGy LANDSC
Page 13 and 14: MADE | IN MINNESOTA The Johnson Sim
Page 15 and 16: “The key to our success is surrou
Page 17 and 18: Medical Devices 1. The cardiovascul
Page 19 and 20: sales | and marketing Fishbowls, Mi
Page 21 and 22: usiness levels inconsistent with ca
Page 23 and 24: Grinding Stainless Steel or Other H
Page 25 and 26: W hen you ask your local Federated
Page 27 and 28: mpma | highlights What’s HAPPENIN
Page 29 and 30: To accommodate odd loads, Delivery
Page 31 and 32: You’re covered . . . with a huge
Page 33 and 34: MEMBER | DIRECTORY Lifetime Members
Page 35 and 36: MEMBER | DIRECTORY Glenn Metalcraft
Page 37 and 38: MEMBER | DIRECTORY Principal Financ
Page 39 and 40: “Packnet explores all available o
Page 41 and 42: © 2008 MasterGraphics With the rig

July / August - Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association

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