As written in the Kutchins, Robbins & Diamond Summer Newsletter 2018

In 1986, Steve Kase acquired a company that had been around since the end of the WWII. That company, now known as ASK Power, had its beginnings in manufacturing lighting components and connectors for military vehicles. With an eye for the future, Kase took the company in new directions and began designing and manufacturing connectors for consumer truck and off-road vehicle market applications.

What are electrical connectors? In layman’s terms, connectors are used to move big power from point A to point B, from the source to the application. Examples include truck batteries to lights and wind-turbine generated power to power conversion equipment.

Connecting. Helping. Growing.

Immediately following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 things really took off for the company. Rebuilding from the disaster created a supply vs. demand situation that in turn created opportunities for ASK Power. Most importantly, it gave ASK Power the opportunity to help people get their daily lives back to normal. It also allowed for opportunities to expand into utility and telecommunication marketplaces.

“After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, ASK Power was able to jump in and hit the ground running. Our existing product line, manufacturing know-how, and committed employees can design
and begin production of an entire product line in as little as 48 hours,” Kase notes.

A Connection for the Future

When inquired about the company name, Kase offers two responses: the first direct and to the point, the second more accurately reflective of the company’s culture and mission.

“ASK is an acronym for my father’s name, my name and our last name. But ASK stands for so much more,” notes Kase. “In our industry, you don’t survive just by saying you’re good. You have to deliver. And that begins by asking the right questions. Asking how can we improve the process, how can we innovate, how can we exceed expectations.”

He has found an effective solution for improving processes, innovating, and exceeding expectations is to look beyond ASK Power’s four walls and to a community of his peers and colleagues.

One such community is mHub, Chicago’s innovation center for physical development and manufacturing. The vision behind mHub is to provide the facility as well as workforce training through special events, workshops, classes, seminars and one-on-one expert consulting.

“Being together in one space may seem simple. But, it’s the unpredictable magic that occurs when a need and capability share a home,” explains Kase. “mHub is that innovation experience. A belief that a community of innovators can deliver exponential entrepreneurial, product and process development, and successful employment results.”

Lasting Connections

When it comes to creating lasting connections ASK Power and KRD know how to get the job done. Since the two began working together over 15 years ago the relationship has flourished, with KRD helping ASK Power in a variety of areas including; navigating an acquisition, leadership turnover and strategic growth to name a few.

“KRD has been on our side through thick and thin,” commented Kase. “As a financial and strategic coach through critical growth junctions, Allen and his team have proved invaluable. Max Kopytko from KRD also stepped in and acted as our de facto CFO when a former CFO left to pursue other opportunities. He even helped us in identifying and training a qualified replacement.”

As a former competitive swimmer, Kase uses a fitting analogy to describe their relationship. “KRD is like a lifeguard, looking out for our well being, ready to jump in when the waters start to get choppy.”

ASK Power believes expanding the skills and roles of the front line manufacturing personnel creates valued workers who can evolve with automation and maintain quality careers.

Everyone at ASK Power is excited to experience the growth and success mHUB has generated since opening in March. In less than 9 months, mHub has tripled its membership to over 300 members.

mHub connects the many segments of manufacturing, entrepreneurs, engineers, small to medium manufacturers, and large companies in the innovation game. It’s an experiment that is working, working to produce better jobs and a more competitive industry.

“The manufacturing industry has certainly experienced its share of change, evolving from what many still envision as ‘traditional’ manufacturing… to today's manufacturing that is digital, high tech and driven by ideas and innovation.

When I think of modern manufacturing right here in Illinois -- I think of mHUB (https://mhubchicago.com/), Chicago's innovation center for physical product development and manufacturing. “   

- Greg Baise, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association

Read more of what the Daily Herald Business Ledger wrote in their article, “The Evolution of Illinois Manufacturing with mHUB”

As a sponsor of mHUB, ASK Power represents the model for how small and medium sized manufactures in the Chicago area will gain access and expertise to equipment, facilities and workers not readily available before. mHub’s state of the art building provides 63,000 square feet with 10 fabrication centers and over $2,000,000 in product design, rapid proto-typing and 3D printers, metal shops and other low-volume micro-factory machinery.

mHub, Chicago’s innovation center for physical development and manufacturing, is now open for business. As a sponsor of mHub, ASK Power represents the model for how small and medium sized manufactures in the Chicago area will gain access and expertise to equipment, facilities and workers not readily available before. mHub’s state of the art building provides 63,000 square feet with 10 fabrication centers and over $2,000,000 in product design, rapid proto-typing and 3D printers, metal shops and other low-volume micro-factory machinery.

Steve Kase, Managing Director of ASK Power and mHUB Board of Director, was with Mayor Rahm Emanuel at the ribbon cutting ceremony earlier this month. “mHUB merges state-of-the-art innovation with our city’s industrial heritage to build a brighter future for all of Chicago,” Mayor Emanuel said. “I look forward to seeing mHUB’s bold vision further strengthen Chicago’s vibrant entrepreneurial community and manufacturing ecosystem.”

The vision behind mHub is to provide the facility as well as workforce training through special events, workshops, classes, seminars and 1:1 expert consulting. As the mHub website, www.mhubchicago.com, illustrates, “Our vetted mentors bring years of experience in Manufacturing, business, mechanical and electrical engineering, design and legal services to turn new product idea into scalable businesses. 

“Being together in one space may seem simple; but, it’s the unpredictable magic that occurs when a need and capability share a home,” explains Mr. Kase. “A funny thing about innovation, the experience is one of great hope and at the same time awareness of the challenge. mHub IS that innovation experience. A belief that a community of innovators can deliver exponential entrepreneurial, product and process development, and employment results.”

World trade and political discussion emphasize how automation threatens the traditional manufacturing employee. How to support the evolution of these employees in the face of global competitive challenges is the question. Steve Kase, ASK Power’s Founder and Managing Director, the Illinois Manufacturing Association, and Chicago’s mHub have an answer: expand the skills and roles of the front line manufacturing person to create a valued worker who can evolve with automation and maintain a quality career.

This idea is being put into practice through Chicago’s new manufacturing innovation center, mHUB. Workforce Development and Manufacturing Innovation are the concepts that have made ASK Power the success it is today. “Training our employees to be full service process managers of Efficiency, Quality Control, Tooling Setup and Machine Maintenance,” explains Mr. Kase. “This investment in people has dramatically improved the delivery times and quality performance for our customers.”

The mHUB facility was designed to attract and support STEM trained personnel. These engineers and entrepreneurs in turn will provide innovative application solutions for small and medium-sized manufactures. “When we solve customer product development needs, we require new sets of talent and resources. mHUB is being set-up to help companies like ours,” says Mr. Kase.

Read more about mHUB in this month’s addition of The Illinois Manufacturer

Naumovich, Dan. "mHub is Chicago’s first manufacturing innovation center - opening in January"The Illinois Manufacturer Fall 2016: p23-24. (PDF version)