MEMBER PROFILE - Rockford Systems

By Paul Anthony Arco

The good old days weren’t so good for machine operators. In the 1900s, safety wasn’t always the top priority for manufacturing shops and factories, resulting in many serious injuries and death to factory workers. Fortunately, conditions improved over the years, due in large part, to changes to workplace laws, and the formation of companies like Rockford Systems.

The Rockford-based company provides industrial plant safety solutions for companies using metalworking, automation, material handling or thermal processing in their operations. Rockford Systems offers consulting, inspections, training, technical support and helps its clients understand Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) machine safety standards for various industrial applications.

“Rockford Systems is best known for providing turnkey machine safeguarding solutions that reduce risk and help prevent industrial injuries in some of the largest companies in the world,” said Joe Nitiss, CEO of Rockford Systems. “Our turnkey combustion safety solutions range from training, risk assessments and annual inspections, to the engineering and installation of customized fuel management systems. The work we do is extremely important.”

Rockford Systems was formed in 1971, not long after President Richard Nixon signed into law the Williams- Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act, which gave the federal government the ability to make and enforce safety and health standards for most of the country’s workers. But manufacturing plants and machine shop owners struggled with how to safeguard their machines to meet new OSHA regulations. That’s where companies like Rockford Systems came into play.

The company started in the basement of Dennis Ebens, who along with his business partner Dick Provi, were two of the first press control manufacturers in the country. Provi and Ebens brought to market a complete package of components that adapted unprotected punch presses to machines that complied with OSHA requirements, an idea that transformed the safety industry and earned Rockford Systems national recognition. Ebens stayed with Rockford Systems until 2005 and Provi left when he sold the business to a private investor in 2014.

Rockford Systems’ clientele includes many Fortune 500 companies within the aerospace, manufacturing, automotive and food and beverage industries, including John Deere and Raytheon Technologies.

The company has 100 employees including technicians, machine safeguard specialists, sales and marketing professionals, and engineers, and plans on hiring additional staff within the next year. “Our retention is good, as is our culture and work environment,” said Nitiss, who joined Rockford Systems five years ago.

Rockford Systems also is a strong backer of the local community. For several years, the company has assisted Rockford Public Schools with a donation of shielding and safety devices to help keep shop class students safe. Rockford Systems has also sponsored area students to attend FabTech, a popular machine trade show in Chicago, and also supports food and clothing drives for Carpenter’s Place.

“It starts with recognizing that there’s a need,” said Vice President Matt Brenner. “I grew up in Rockford and have a healthy understanding of the needs in our community. When you have a successful business it’s your responsibility to pay it forward.”

The COVID pandemic hasn’t slowed Rockford Systems down. In fact, the company developed GermBlock shields – transparent barriers used by various industries to prevent the spread of airborne particles between employees and customers. Nitiss said Rockford Systems has experienced double digit growth and is strategically aligned to experience even more success over the next decade.

“We’re proud of our extremely talented team who works hard to analyze our customers’ needs and deliver on our promises,” added Brenner. “Our goal is to always make sure our customers are satisfied.”

ROCKFORD SYSTEMS, LLC - CEO: Joe Nitiss 5795 Logistics Pkwy. 815-874-7891 Rockfordsystems.com