WHEN K. C. VASUDEVA invested $2,000 in 1977 to open a screw machine shop, he was founding a company that today consists of eight divisions with more than 500 employees and annual sales of more than $100 million. That tells the story of Maxtech Manufacturing Inc., which today is a respected producer of a diverse array of automotive components as well as hand tools and power tool accessories. Bornin India, Kacee graduated in instrument technology before he and his bride immigrated to Canada in 1971 and settling in Waterloo, Ontario.
 

K.C. Vasudeva, Chairman and CEO

A strong desire to establish his own business was realized in 1977 when he discovered a need for a particular kind of screw machine part in the automotive industries. He bought one screw machine and, while continuing to work part time, he and wife Susan spent every available hour turning out screw machine parts before landing contracts with two companies. This enabled Kacee to buy a second machine, devote all his time to the business, and hire his first employee. New emission control laws for automobiles passed in the United States during the mid-1980s were the real catalyst for launching Maxtech into today’s multifaceted, multi-million dollar business. Ever alert to technological change and skilled at improving on it, Kacee developed improved emission gas reutilization (EGR) fittings which are used in all automobiles made in North America. From 1989 to 1994, Kacee purchased three bankrupt manufacturing companies. They include a CNC shop specializing in machining automotive parts, a thermoset molding company, and an injection molding company. Today, these companies are Maxtech Precision Products, Maxtech Plastics, and Thermoset Molding. In 1995, Maxtech Inc., in Roseville, Michigan, was added to make cold formed stainless steel components.

Another division, Precitech Inc. at Ste. Foy, Quebec was added in 1998 to produce powdered metal components. Maxtech Enterprises Inc. formed a joint venture in 1999 with an international automotive parts manufacturer based in Germany to create Woco-Maxtech Inc.,a manufacturer of noise vibration harshness components in Michigan. Kacee attributes the success of Maxtech Manufacturing Inc. to one important maxim: “Look after the customer at any cost.” If there is a problem, the Maxtech employees don’t ask who is at fault. They first solve the problem and then discuss what went wrong. As a result, Financial Post/Arthur Anderson has named Maxtech one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Private Companies for 1994 through 1999. In 1998, Kacee was named Wilfrid Laurier University’s Outstanding Business Leader. The year before, the Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce named him Businessman of the Year. Kacee, as CEO and Chairman, was selected as a finalist in the Manufacturing Industrial Products category for Ontario’s 1999 Entrepreneur of the Year program. Kacee has 16 patents to his credit.

Despite these many corporate and individual awards, Kacee maintains that the company’s achievements cannot be attributed to him alone. “Yes, we are successful because of a strong and motivated management team, but the real heart of the company is our diverse and dedicated employees.”