Not enough hours in a day.

Muller brothers put in the time for their entrepreneurial award.

WOODSTOCK - Working 16-to-18 hour days isn't uncommon for Karsten and Lars Muller, but even for workaholics who love their jobs, there's apparently a limit.

"My brother was working 20 hours a day then stopping right here for four hours of sleep," said Lars, who is married with children. "But just last week he got married so he's cut back on the workday a bit - somewhat that is."

"The fact is, we're in an exciting business, looking to the future. There are so many opportunities out there and once we get beyond the year 2000 and all the complications surrounding Y2K, we'll concentrate our efforts on expanding the business." Their enthusiasm to date has obviously paid off in a variety of ways. Most recently the brothers' business - Muller Systems Corporation - was recognized with the Woodstock District Chamber of Commerce's Entrepreneurial Award.

"We were both very flattered when we learned our banker Len Poirier from the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had nominated us for the award," said Karsten. "When we actually won, well, we were very surprised and honoured."

"It certainly has been a boost for our business, in particular when it comes to attracting those firms we've been trying to touch base with for a long time. When many of them learned we had received the award, they were calling us. It certainly gives you quite a bit of recognition within the community."

Listening to both describe the intricacies of automating businesses, the widespread use and future applications for personal computers(PC) and new adventures awaiting business people in the coming millennium, it's obvious both brothers have a deep rooted connection and love of what they do.

"We're into all aspects of the business, whether that be hardware, software, design," said Lars, vice-president of the company. "What we're looking at in the future is the potential of pneumatics and robotics - the possibilities are endless. Karsten, who is the president, never wanted to be in charge of a company but we're very close brothers and we get along very well on all levels. He has a keen sense of business while I'm very much into the sales. I grew up in the computer age and we've been doing this as a sort of a hobby since 1990."

It was in 1995 when the two - who started their business in Embro - expanded their operation into Woodstock. Originally set up next to the Homestead Restaurant on Montclair Drive (now closed), the two have called a building on Juliana Drive home since early 1998.

"We currently have 6,000 square feet in this structure," said Lars, who once acted as his Grade 10 teacher's assistant in the computer class. "There are 10 full-time employees (including the brothers) and one part-timer. A lot of our work involved clean-up jobs, correcting mistakes that were made in setups and installations.

"And much of our business has come via the word-of-mouth route. At this point we haven't much time to get into advertising. Most of our customers are in the business sector, although we do have the odd retailer."

Both brothers say their best business comes from companies that are run by younger executives eager to explore the possibilities of further automating their operations.

Lars suggests while automation is widespread, many firms (particularly those run by older CEOs) are staying away primarily out of fear.

"I expect down the road - in 10 years or more - there will be a wide range of opportunities opening up," he said. "Meanwhile, we are very busy on a daily basis dealing with our business clients. In fact, we do considerable amount of work for the Food Terminal.

"We do have some big plans in the future." As for those unimaginably long days - there doesn't seem to be enough hours in a day to suit the Muller brothers.