Waupaca Foundry has put the Great Recession well into its rear view mirror as the plant here that makes iron castings for parts used in cars and trucks now employs a five-year high of 560 people. One company advantage executives cite is the use of a just-in-time supply chain that they say is unique in their industry and a cost-saver for the business.

Over the years, I've contributed about 90 articles to IndustryWeek. One of them " It Takes Two to Tango ," from 2015, dealt with the fact that in supply chain negotiations, there is middle ground if both sides are willing to compromise. The headline, suggested by my then-editor, was a bit of a stretch for me; I didn't understand how it related to the content of the article. But now I know what he was getting at. Tango dancers must coordinate and collaborate to the nth degree to successfully execute the dance.