Business View Magazine | February 2019

137 lion in capital equipment and facility upgrades to expand its capacity and capabilities.“As we con- tinue to grow,we’re kind of locked on size in our facility, so we’ve converted a lot of our packaging to automation.”Austin says.“Previously,we would use manual labor to open up a pouch and physically take dog treats and place them in the bags, but nowwe’ve got some automation on the packaging side, so that has been a lifesaver.We can package more product with less people, and now I’m able to move those people to some other lines. I’m not cutting anybody; I’m redistributing my labor force. Right now,we have about 210 permanent employ- ees and about 60 temporary employees, and we hope to hire about 30 more folks.The hurdles are trying to find employees to fill positions.We’re in a small town and there are several manufacturers in the area, so we’re trying to be creative in competing with them. Meanwhile,TPT has made the Inc. 5000 list for another year and has shown about a 120 percent growth from three years ago.“We have more cus- tomers starting in 2019, so we’re in the process of producing for them and building up inventory,” Austin says, in conclusion.“We’re looking at 2019 to be a pretty favorable year for us.” PREFERREDVENDOR WorkPartners - WorkPartners.com WorkPartners is an innovative health,wellness, and productivity company focused on using robust data to transformworker health. By integrating advanced data analytics with award-winning clini- cal prevention services,we help clients understand their employees’ real health needs and behaviors. WorkPartners transforms your data into a tool that addresses risk—both for individual employees, as well as the entire organization.Our advanced data analytics and modeling allow us to actually identify and predict high-risk populations. Because you’ll have the numbers to prove it.Work- Partners will consult with you every step of the way to ensure that the solutions we develop help your workforce be as healthy, productive, and engaged as possible. Your greatest asset is your employees. Ensuring their health by using every dollar as efficiently and effectively as possible is the essence of human capital management.As you implement your hu- man capital management strategy withWorkPart- ners, you won’t have to wonder if it’s working. Call us today to learn how our integrated consulta- tive approach and comprehensive product portfolio can improve your company’s performance, as well as help ensure your employees are fully engaged and productive. Expert Analysis. Smart Strategy. Integrated Solu- tions. 1-866-229-3507