--- title: "Article Features Pfannenberg as \"Innovator\"" description: Pfannenberg innovative business for thermal management using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma image: https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/hubfs/Pfannenberg_Innovative_Business.jpg --- [![Pfannenberg](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/hs-fs/hub/409956/file-1141140508.png)](http://www.pfannenbergusa.com/) [![joinnewsletter](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/hs-fs/hub/409956/file-1141456068.png)](https://www.pfannenbergusa.com/join-newsletter) # Enclosure & Electronics Cooling, Liquid Cooling and Signaling Solutions ## [Article Features Pfannenberg as "Innovator"](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/article-features-pfannenberg-as-innovator) Posted by [Jon LaPorta](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/author/jon-laporta) on Jan 6, 2010 3:12:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) **![Pfannenberg_Innovative_Business](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/hubfs/Pfannenberg_Innovative_Business.jpg)**Western New York is no stranger to tough times and challenging business conditions. But several local businesses are finding that the regional circumstances have prepared them well for the current economic recession, and set them up for future growth. By relying on talent and ingenuity, Western New York companies have learned to survive in a slow-growth region. Now, some are using those attributes to seek new opportunities. Shrugging off reputations of being slow to react and resistant to change, they are embracing a spirit of innovation and reinvention. "Nationally, a lot of companies have gone into defense mode. They've decided to hunker down and wait out the recession," said Harold Star, assistant professor of operations management and strategy at the University at Buffalo's School of Management. "But how long do they wait before they hit the panic button?" Several local companies, though, have had years of practice innovating through hard times. **Getting leaner** For Pfannenberg Inc. in Lancaster, innovation has been as simple as implementing lean manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives. The company, which designs and builds temperature control systems for electrical units, was able to streamline its operations from top to bottom, increasing productivity and saving tens of thousands of dollars by reducing waste and errors in its manufacturing process. The company grew by 30 percent last year and is on track to do the same in 2009, according to Blaine Witt, the company's senior vice president. "The economy helped in that our top competitors took it on the chin and we were able to take market share and launch innovative products," said Witt. "The recession forced companies who had been doing business with our competitors for 20 years to look at us. They said, "If you can save me money and make a better widget, I'll listen to you.' " The company started in 1999 as an American outpost producing and selling technology created at its German global headquarters. Today, it's a $10 million company in its own right, designing products to fill needs specific to North and South America. The company has also branched out into "chiller" refrigeration technology and signaling mechanisms, such as alarms and lighting. "We innovate in good times and bad. It's what keeps us ahead of the competition," said Witt. "During up years, we conserve resources for down years, and in that way we can keep up with our medium-term strategic plan." Fortunately for Western New York, there seem to be more and more companies to keep an eye on as we watch for the next big ideas. Topics: [Cooling Units](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/cooling-units), [Thermal Management](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/thermal-management), [North America](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/north-america) ## Your Thermal Management & Signaling Technology Experts ### The Technology of Cooling and Industrial Signaling Keep up to date with the latest: - Technical Documents - Case Studies - Electronics and Enclosure Cooling Solutions - Application Support from our Engineers ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Thermal Management (43)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/thermal-management) - [North America (38)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/north-america) - [Enclosure Cooling (34)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/enclosure-cooling) - [Cooling Units (29)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/cooling-units) - [Industrial Safety & Signaling Solutions (28)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/industrial-safety-signaling-solutions) - [Food & Beverage (23)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/food-beverage) - [Air Water Heat Exchangers (22)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/air-water-heat-exchangers) - [Company News & Annoucements (21)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/company-news-annoucements) - [Chillers (15)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/chillers) - [Packaged Chillers (13)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/packaged-chillers) - [Water Cooling (13)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/water-cooling) - [Filterfans (11)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/filterfans) - [Community Involvement (5)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/community-involvement) - [Trade Show (5)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/trade-show) - [Alarms (4)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/alarms) - [Heaters (4)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/heaters) - [Industry 4.0 (4)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/industry-4-0) - [Internet of Things (4)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/internet-of-things) - [Bakery (3)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/bakery) - [Commercial Bakeries (3)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/commercial-bakeries) - [liquid cooling (3)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/liquid-cooling) - [Industrial Internet (2)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/industrial-internet) - [IoT (2)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/iot) - [Marine Alarms (2)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/marine-alarms) - [Maritime Alarms (2)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/maritime-alarms) - [Thermostats (2)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/thermostats) - [Wastewater Treatment (2)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/wastewater-treatment) - [boat alarms (2)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/boat-alarms) - [3D Coverage (1)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/3d-coverage) - [Air Air Heat Exchangers (1)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/air-air-heat-exchangers) - [Case Study (1)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/case-study) - [Food and Beverage (1)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/food-and-beverage) - [Gas Detection (1)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/gas-detection) - [Hygrostats (1)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/hygrostats) - [Water Treatment (1)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/water-treatment) - [rainhoods (1)](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/topic/rainhoods) [see all](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/article-features-pfannenberg-as-innovator#) - [![](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/hs-fs/hub/409956/file-1155748085.png)](http://www.pfannenbergusa.com/pss) - [![](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/hs-fs/hub/409956/file-1155743050.png)](http://www.pfannenbergusa.com/pss) [Need a little Help? Check out our video guides.](http://www.pfannenbergusa.com/pss-videos) - [![](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/hs-fs/hub/409956/file-1152516006.png)](http://www.pfannenbergusa.com/tools) - [![](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/hs-fs/hub/409956/file-1155743065.png)](http://www.pfannenbergusa.com/tools) - [![](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/hs-fs/hub/409956/file-1152516011.png)](http://www.pfannenbergusa.com/commerce/track-shipment) - [![](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/hs-fs/hub/409956/file-1156818865.png)](http://www.pfannenbergusa.com/commerce/track-shipment) ## Solution Success Stories **[Pacific Ozone Keeps Electronics Cool with Filterfans](http://www.pfannenbergusa.com/pacific_ozone) ** ![](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/hs-fs/hub/409956/file-1154092381.jpg?width=348&height=27&name=file-1154092381.jpg) **[JetAir Drying Systems Utilize Pfannenberg Cooling for Soft Drink Bottler...](http://www.pfannenbergusa.com/jetair) ** ![](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/hs-fs/hub/409956/file-1154092381.jpg?width=348&height=27&name=file-1154092381.jpg) **[Cooling Units on Calcon Mobile Ozone Pumping Systems... ](http://www.pfannenbergusa.com/calcon)**![](https://blog.pfannenbergusa.com/hs-fs/hub/409956/file-1154092381.jpg?width=348&height=27&name=file-1154092381.jpg) **[Ocean Spray SDC Line Avoids Downtime with Pfannenberg...](http://www.pfannenbergusa.com/ocean-spray)** ## About Pfannenberg... *By keeping electronics in enclosures from overheating, Pfannenberg provides an invaluable service to companies, keeping their machinery and processes consistently operating.  By developing and producing products which are designed to save energy and other resources, Pfannenberg operates by their business philosophy – **Safety for man, machine and the environment*** ## News - [New 10-Year Warranty on Select Signaling Products](http://www.pfannenbergusa.com/news/article/current/2014/07/04/100033/new-10-year-warranty-on-select-signaling-products) - [Pfannenberg Named as one of WNY's Fastest Growing Companies](http://www.pfannenbergusa.com/news/article/current/2014/07/04/100032/pfannenberg-named-as-one-of-wnys-fastest-growing-companies) - [Pfannenberg, Inc. Announces Availability of New PWS 3000 Series Air to Water Heat Exchangers](http://www.pfannenbergusa.com/news/article/current/2014/07/04/100031/pfannenberg-inc.-announces-availability-of-new-pws-3000-series-air-to-water-heat-exchangers) [View All News...](http://www.pfannenbergusa.com/news) © 2012 Pfannenberg Incorporated | 716.685.6866