About UPI Manufacturing

In 1984, when Jeff and Norb Dretzka's father was closing his business, the two Native American brothers decided to start a small business of their own in New Berlin , Wis. For the next 20 years, their business, Underground Pipeline Inc., would specialize in underground sewer and water line construction. Recently, however, a manufacturing division has been augmented and now includes filling high priority backorders for the Defense Supply Center Columbus in direct support of our war fighters in Iraq .

 

The addition of a manufacturing division for UPI came about primarily as an economic measure. According to Jeff Dretzka Jr., UPI's contract administrator, sewer and water line work can be very slow during the winter months in southeastern Wisconsin due to severe conditions, causing layoffs among their 37 employees. At the same time, however, the increasing insurance and utility bills needed to be paid.

 

The Dretzkas stepped up their networking efforts among business associates with whom they had established contact during many years. These efforts led them to Small Business Administration officials in Milwaukee , Wis. , who put them in contact with William Chavez, a procurement analyst in the DSCC Small Business Office.

 

"It is my job to make sure that the right NSN (National Stock Number) is assigned to a small, disadvantaged business, 8(a) firm that falls within their expertise," Chavez said. "In doing this, I research as much information about what each company provides or manufactures. I then instruct them how to use DIBBS (Defense Logistics Agency - Business Systems Modernization Internet Bid Board System). I then assist the vendors in navigating the FSC (Federal Supply Class) so they can make a determination which FSC best suits them in order to submit bids on current solicitations. The NSNs will then be reviewed to see if they are good candidates for the 8(a) program."

The Dretzka brothers assimilated information that created an opportunity for increased productivity made possible by their responsible work ethic and patriotism. In time, they identified ways that their business could increase manufacturing to directly support the war fighter. In the past few months, UPI's manufacturing division shipped several high priority military contracts worth nearly $300,000. As a direct result of their initiative, the manufacturing division outgrew its New Berlin facility and is now manufacturing from nearby Fort Atkinson , Wis.

 

One of the contracts awarded to UPI Inc. was for three-inch-thick bulletproof windows for the High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicles being used in Iraq . According to Jeff Dretzka, these windows were placed on a high-priority backorder.

 

"We were able to produce and ship 245 of these windows for our troops, four and a half months early," he said.

Jeff and Norb Dretzka are thankful to many people who have helped them to increase their business, while also strengthening the local economy in Wisconsin. The Dretzkas say UPI is proud to be a link in the supply chain and they consider their work to be a team effort in supporting the war fighter.

 

"We consider ourselves part of the team in making America a safe place for our families. May God protect those who protect us," said Dretka.