We are pleased to be celebrating our 25^th Anniversary and I took the opportunity to meet with our Founder and CEO, Barney Berlinger, to get his thoughts and continuing vision for ASI after 25 years in business.  The challenges and highlights.....along with the constant battle to meet our corporate goal of Global Excellence in Design, Quality, Performance and Service in battery powered vehicles and equipment.

Barney stands next to ASI's newly aquired, robotic loading, Liebherr gear hobbing machine.

 
Barney left Quaker City Gear in 1986 to establish his own company and vision for manufacturing transaxles.  Barney..."I mortgaged everything I owned to start ASI and purchase the tooling for the enclosed transaxle design". Previous transaxle designs incorporated a chain, sprocket and motor approach that was noisy, dirty and unreliable.  Barney completed the design on a fully enclosed transaxle with motor and brake that became the "Industry Standard" overnight. "The demographics within the United States and growing population of Armed Services Veterans provided a major need for mobility and the scooter was a much desired form of transportation for these individuals". 

By 1988 ASI's MK30 transaxle was being used by the majority of scooter manufacturers based in the United States and by 1996 ASI was producing over 60,000 units annually.  "During this time I established relationships with all of the major scooter manufacturers and we attended our first MedTrade Show in 1991, paying attention to the Medical Mobility Industry needs and constantly improving our transaxle".  

"In 1996 I made the decision to continue to grow our own in-house capabilities and purchased the first Liebherr Gear Hobber, Koepfer Pinion Hobber and CNC Machining Mills.  "By 1999 we purchased the CMM to perform computer aided inspection on all housings and components used in our assemblies".  Leading up to 2000 ASI had established a reputation for high quality transaxles and custom gear drive designs based on the next generation MK20 ASI transaxle.  The MK20 was designed to provide the lowest noise level and highest durability transaxle from ASI.

"In 2000 ASI then started looking for more markets to grow into.  The Floor Care, Material Handling and High-End Mobility markets gave ASI a playing field for our products and our reputation allowed us the opportunity for new business within these new markets.

"2003 through 2005 was a real struggle for ASI and I did question the direction of the company and how to move forward...but we did".  "Through hard work, discipline and mentoring the right managers, we were able to right the ship and move into our new building in 2006!". "The new generation transaxle, MK400, was gaining major acceptance in the marketplace and was a valuable tool in opening new doors". "This was just the fresh start that ASI and our associates needed and I felt the energy return to our company and this gear engineer". 

"Through 2008 we added several more pieces of equipment and enjoyed continuing growth along with production efficiency and inventory management improvements".  "We added an additional Haas Machining Mill and continued adding to the ASI Management team.....certainly positioned for Global Excellence". 

Then 2009 and the decline of the USA economy.  ASI was able to maintain its position in all markets and only experienced a 15% decline in sales.  "We made the sacrifices necessary to keep ASI viable and our management team and associates did an excellent job...very proud of them". 

"In 2010 we started with gusto and purchased our second Liebherr Gear Hobber and a Haas SL10 lathe. Allowing us to improve part quality and bring some operations back into a cell configuration". The setback of 2009 was short lived as our 2010 sales erased the decline and resulted in additional sales growth of over 30%!".  "Now I am challenging the ASI Team to continue our growth and capabilities in all of the markets we service....I look forward to the results!". (Comments from an interview with Barney Berlinger on February 21, 2011).

Mr. Berlinger joined the American Gear Manufacturers Association In 1962, and has been a member ever since.  He served on the Management Seminar Planning Committee, Chaired the Fine Pitch Gearing Committee for several years, served on the Administrative Division executive Committee, and the Board of Directors of the Association.  He became Treasurer in 1984, Executive Vice President in 1985 and President in 1986.  He served as a Board Member of the AGMA Foundation, the research and development arm of this international association of gear manufacturers, designers and academicians.

In addition, Mr. Berlinger served on the Board of Trustees of the Gear Research Institute from 1997 to 1999, and served as its Board Chairman from 2000 to 2002.  The GRI, located at Applied Research Laboratories of Penn State University, does single client and consortium type research projects that support gear technology of the future.