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Creative Automation – 50 Years in Business

Over the last 50-plus years, the Creative Automation story has been built with innovation, grit, and collaboration. We have a rich history in automated material handling and processing equipment for the wood and related industries. This is our story…

Creative Automation – 50 Years in Business

Our History

Today
Today

Creative Automation has designed, built, and installed well over 4,000 custom machines for the wood and related industries. Facility is now 14-times larger than the original structure.

2024

We expand our CNC capabilities with new Viper PMX-6127, which boasts a 50,700-lb load capacity, fully automatic right-angle head to enable machining on all 5 sides, 20-ft x 7-ft table size, and 60-tool automatic tool changer.

2022
2022

Engineering space upgraded and modernized for years to come.

2022
2022

Mark Streckert becomes CEO and controlling owner.

2021
2021

CA celebrates our 50th anniversary. Pictured are Tom Streckert, founder and President, and Sondra Streckert, VP and Corporate Secretary. Retired, Sondra has enjoyed assisting with the company’s scholarship program.

2017
2017

Acquired new Mori 4-axis horizontal machining center, increasing efficiency in making certain machine parts. Boasts a 60-tool automatic tool changer.

2016
2016

Added Weiler E50 CNC lathe to Creative’s CNC lineup.

2014
2014

Purchased Mazak CNC with high spindle speed and large capacity tool changer.

2012
2012

After working at Creative for 20 years, Mark Streckert becomes stockholder and partner.

2011
2011

We celebrate our 40th anniversary with an airplane-themed cake, reflecting our founder’s longtime passion for aviation.

2010
2010

Solidworks 3D modeling software is implemented.

2005
2005

Quickmill CNC machining center is installed. It weighs over 100 tons, boasts a 44-ft x 12-ft table size, and tackles many of our largest parts.

2000
2000

Creative’s first computer server is installed, and everyone in the office is given email.

1998
1998

Large Komo CNC machining center is purchased at the end of the year. Second Komo CNC is purchased shortly afterward, adding to Creative’s formidable machine shop.

1995
1995

First seat of AutoCAD 2D drafting software is purchased.

1993

CA becomes one of the first companies in the woodworking industry to install modems on machines, enabling engineers to dial up a machine from our office to assist the customer with troubleshooting and program changes. Today we access our machines remotely with a VPN connection.

1987
1987

The first portable computer—“portable”being used loosely—is purchased for PLC programming. It is made by Compaq and has a 10MB hard drive.

1986
1986

Word processing is implemented in the office with software called WordStar. It is run on an IBM XT computer that has 10MB of hard disk space.

1986

Scholarship program begins to benefit local high school seniors and award employee dependents.

1982
1982

The first machine with a programmable logic controller (PLC) is installed. Early PLCs are programmed with a hand-held keypad.

1979
1979

Sondra Streckert reaches out to Apple Computers for information on personal computing.

1975
1975

We begin Creative’s ongoing support of Boy Scouts of America, which continues to this day.

1974
1974

First section of Creative Automation’s corporate and production facility constructed.

1973

First full-time employee hired.

1972
1972

Because there were no computers or PLCs available at the time, Tom designs and builds his own circuit boards. These are for Stacker/Feeder control logic systems.

1972
1972

First Stacker/Feeder is built in the garage – over 400 custom Stacker/Feeders have been installed since then.

1971
1971

Tom Streckert registers the corporation with the State of WI, building machinery in the family garage. Sondra Streckert—Tom’s wife and confidant—coins the name “Creative Automation”.