SixAxis Recognized as Operational Team of the Year by MiddleGround Capital
SixAxis: Operational Excellence Recognized
In a remarkable achievement, SixAxis, LLC, the parent company of renowned industrial safety brands such as SafeRack, ErectaStep, and Upside Innovations, has been awarded the title of Operational Team of the Year by MiddleGround Capital. This accolade, presented at MiddleGround's 2026 Operations Conference, highlights SixAxis's exceptional performance throughout 2025 across several key operational metrics, including safety, quality, on-time delivery, gross margins, and labor efficiency. Evaluated against a competitive benchmark of approximately 18 operating companies and over 190 production facilities globally, this award signifies SixAxis's leadership in operational excellence.
A Commitment to Safety and Reliability
MiddleGround Capital, a well-established private equity firm, bases its investment strategy on achieving remarkable operational results. The recognition of SixAxis’s operations team from their facilities in Andrews, S.C. and West Chester, OH underscored their superior performance, which stood out among their portfolio companies.
For SixAxis's customers, this award translates to validated reliability in operations and safety. Notably, SixAxis achieved a Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) of 0.00, compared to the industry standard of 3.10, marking it as one of the safest manufacturing environments in the United States. Moreover, SixAxis recorded an impressive on-time delivery rate of 97.3%, significantly surpassing the average industry standard of around 83%.
The company has also maintained a 98% domestic sourcing rate, ensuring that there have been no disruptions in raw material sourcing for several years, which is crucial for continuity in production and reliability in service delivery.
Both of SixAxis's facilities are certified under ISO 14001 and SHARP, with the Andrews location additionally holding ISO 9001 certification, further emphasizing their dedication to safety and quality standards.
Continuous Improvement as a Core Value
According to Doug Odum, Chief Operating Officer of SixAxis, the company's exemplary safety record is a reflection of its commitment to operational excellence. He stated, "We practice what we preach as a leading provider of safety solutions. Our own safety record demonstrates our dedication to achieving world-class operational safety in U.S. manufacturing. That's not marketing — that's continuous improvement as a mindset, every department, every day."
Alicia Motomura, Operations Director at MiddleGround Capital, highlighted SixAxis's effective implementation of continuous improvement processes: “SixAxis was awarded Operational Team of the Year for turning continuous improvement into action. They set the benchmark for operational excellence through sustained results, employee-driven Kaizen efforts, and the successful standardization of best practices across the organization.”
The Path to Recognition
The key driver behind SixAxis’s success lies in their proprietary SixAxis Production System (SPS), which emphasizes safety, quality, and workforce morale through an ingrained culture of continuous improvement. Each department commits to completing at least one Kaizen project monthly, overseen by a dedicated continuous improvement team that was established in 2022.
The manufacturing operations take place in two American facilities, with the Andrews site encompassing 240,000 sq. ft. and the West Chester site covering 110,000 sq. ft. Both locations are currently operating at around 50% capacity, signifying ample room for future growth and expansion.
About SixAxis, LLC
Founded in 2002, SixAxis is committed to designing and manufacturing U.S.-made safety and access solutions, including loading racks, fall protection systems, and industrial stairs, under brands such as SafeRack, ErectaStep, and Upside Innovations. These products are trusted by Fortune 500 companies worldwide. Visit sixaxisllc.com for more information on their innovative solutions.
About MiddleGround Capital
Based in Lexington, Kentucky, MiddleGround Capital manages over $4.1 billion in assets, focusing on control investments in middle-market B2B industrial and specialty distribution businesses. Their success stems from a hands-on operational approach, aiming to create substantial value for their portfolio companies. For more details, visit middleground.com.
Topics General Business）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.