Roland Temme’s Vision for TMCO and Lincoln
The extraordinary isn’t possible without hard work. Take the story of Roland Temme, founder emeritus of TMCO, who started his company with a 742-square-foot machine shop located between the railroad tracks in Lincoln. Working 18-hour days and reinvesting profits into new equipment, Roland grew his one-man shop into a 300,000-square-foot production facility – with a second facility now in development. Celebrating its 50th year, TMCO continues to build on Roland’s vision and work ethic.
The Right Tools For The Trade
Roland’s fascination with engineering and machines paved the way for TMCO’s growth. When TMCO began in 1974, Roland was machining parts for Magnefax audio tape duplicating machines. His passion for machining, however, propelled TMCO into more complex projects. “As we grew and added new customers, we continually purchased new equipment to diversify our production,” Roland says. “We often invest in machines no one else has, which gives us a competitive advantage.” Driven by this commitment to innovation, TMCO has developed expertise across engineering, machining, metal and tube fabrication, welding, powder coat finishing, and assembly operations.
A Force of Good Work
TMCO’s commitment to innovation is more than just giving its workforce the right tools for the job –Roland’s vision has always pushed the company to find individuals eager to earn and learn new skills.“I believe in finding people who want to work -that’s the biggest advantage any company can have,” says Roland.
The fact that more than 30% of TMCO’s workforce are immigrants or refugees is an example of how TMCO opens its doors to individuals looking for career opportunities in manufacturing. TMCO also supports its team with programs for childcare costs, Lincoln Literacy classes, and skill training opportunities, helping employees and their families overcome barriers to personal growth.
Giving Back
Now under the leadership of Roland’s daughter, Diane Temme Stinton, TMCO continues to invest in the Lincoln community. Its employees volunteer hundreds of hours a year to charitable organizations like Junior Achievement and TeamMates.
Roland Temme’s life has always been about making things, and his hard work and dedication have left a lasting impact beyond TMCO’s walls. “I could go on and on about all the people who’ve done amazing things for TMCO and the Lincoln community,” he says. “We’re really built on the efforts of hard-working people. It’s incredible to see what talented, dedicated people can accomplish.”It’s the type of difference you can sum up best in one word: extraordinary.
