Focus on Calumet
A bi-weekly update on economic development opportunities in Calumet County
and the region for businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities.
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IMTS Video Features Two Chilton Manufacturers
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The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) media network created a video featuring the supply chains of two local manufacturers in Chilton – JTD Enterprises and M-B/Aebi Schmidt. The seven-minute video is fun, interesting, and does a great job of showcasing the important contributions these two companies make to safe air travel. What an honor for Chilton and these two local manufacturers to be highlighted in this way!
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Manufacturing First will guide attendees through crisis at hand
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As individuals and businesses continue to navigate the coronavirus pandemic, it’s tempting to focus on returning to the normalcy of the past, but disruptive innovation expert Daniel Burrus will tell you looking back is futile.
A New York Times best-selling author, renowned futurist and keynote speaker at this year’s Manufacturing First Expo & Conference, Burrus likens the situation to his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. “It doesn’t have a reverse. It can’t go back; it can only go forward,” he says. “One of the things I want to share is, we can never go back, but more importantly, we can make the road ahead much better when we learn how to navigate the new terrain.”
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Daniel Burrus, an author, futurist, and disruptive technology expert, will kick off the Manufacturing First Expo & Conference with his keynote address on anticipatory leadership. He’ll share strategies companies can implement to better predict and prepare for disruption.
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Burrus will deliver the event’s first keynote, “The Anticipatory Leader: A Proven Model to Predict Change and Create Extraordinary Results.” In his October 20 talk, he’ll share strategies leaders can implement to identify and capitalize on the many new opportunities that are now available as well as recognize future disruptions that could arise. While Burrus acknowledges the loss of life, upheaval and angst COVID-19 has caused, he says manufacturers must act now to take advantage of the opportunities today’s situation presents as well as to prepare for the future. “Post-pandemic success will be determined by what you do now, not post-pandemic,” he says.
The nation has never faced a moment quite like the one we’re experiencing, Burrus says. Any one of the issues we’re facing — a global pandemic with no clear end in sight, record-breaking debt with high economic uncertainty, a volatile stock market, social unrest surrounding racial inequality, and a heated presidential election — would be monumental on its own, and they’re all happening simultaneously.
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Local Businesses Called to Support Substance Misuse Prevention Week of October 23
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REACH, Calumet County’s substance misuse prevention coalition invites local businesses to join in prevention efforts to promote substance misuse prevention by participating in REACH Red Ribbon Week.
Calumet County youth are experiencing periods of stress. It’s during these times that they are most vulnerable to making poor choices including experimentation of alcohol, tobacco, and other substance misuse. Our youth’s substance misuse trends continue to rise. Businesses displaying a REACH Red Ribbon will demonstrate a commitment to the community to reducing the use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs by Calumet County youth.
Businesses can join the first ever REACH Red Ribbon Week by proudly displaying a REACH Red Ribbon window cling on the front door or window and sharing on social media channels the week of October 23-31, 2020. Due to generous partners, these items will be offered at no cost.
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WEDC We’re All Innovating Contest Open to WI Businesses
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Wisconsin businesses of all sizes and in all industries are demonstrating resilience, ingenuity, and commitment in their response to COVID-19. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is recognizing and rewarding these companies with CARES Act funding through the We’re All Innovating Contest (wisconsininnovates.com) administered in partnership with the Wisconsin Technology Council.
The We’re All Innovating Contest is open to new and established Wisconsin businesses with 50 or fewer employees. Funding from the contest is intended to support companies that have introduced innovations responding to direct health and economic impacts of COVID-19; launching new innovations, including business models and best practices for COVID-19 operations that would otherwise remain dormant; and providing access to capital statewide, including rurally located and ethnically diverse entrepreneurs. Financial awards will help offset costs incurred since March 1, 2020, and/or anticipated through December 30, 2020. Approximately 195 companies can receive awards up to $68,000.
Deadline to apply is 11:59 pm, Sunday, October 18, 2020.
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Report: Milwaukee Area One of Nation’s Top Net Migration Gainers During COVID-19
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The Milwaukee area had one of the biggest increases of U.S. metro areas for net arrivals (more people moving here than moving away) from April through August as the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the nation’s migratory patterns, according to data from LinkedIn Economic Graph Research.
The Milwaukee area had a net arrival gain of 4.5% from April to August, fourth highest gain for U.S. metro areas, according to LinkedIn Economic Graph Research. During that time period, Jacksonville, Florida, had the highest net arrival gain at 10.7%, followed by Salt Lake City at 9.6% and Sacramento, California, at 7.6%. Kansas City was fifth at 3.9%, ranking just behind the Milwaukee area.
The U.S. metro areas with the biggest declines in net arrivals from April to August were: New York City, -23.4%; San Francisco Bay Area, -21.1%; Seattle, -10.6%; Boston, -9.9%; and Portland, Oregon, -9.67%.
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UW Oshkosh COVID-19 Survey Indicates Broadband Access Impacts Wisconsin Businesses
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More than half of all businesses responding to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s sixth monthly survey to monitor the COVID-19 impact in Wisconsin shows access to broadband internet is limiting employees’ ability to work from home. Responding businesses pointed to internet bandwidth (53%) and availability (29%) as significant barriers, even though only 15% indicated lack of access limits their ability to offer online services. And only a quarter of respondents have added new online services since the beginning of the pandemic.
Jeff Sachse, interim director of UWO’s Center for Customized Research and Services, suggested the broadband findings are especially interesting when considered with findings from last month’s survey. “Given that a large majority of businesses have continuously expressed some level of concern regarding adopting work-from-home policies, we now know that a lack of high-speed broadband is one of the barriers that likely feeds this concern,” he said. “This factor also has impacted businesses’ ability to pivot into new markets and services as it is likely that business owners are not confident they can manage these services remotely.”
The 453 Wisconsin companies responding reported renewed losses in August, including:
- $1.4 million in inventory losses
- $4.2 million in lost income
- $804,000 in lost wages and productivity
- $23.9 million in other financial losses
- Difficult labor market that added only 70 net employees in August
The September survey also focused on supply chain issues. One-third of businesses have been forced to find alternate suppliers this year, with 62% of those businesses indicating they found a Wisconsin-based supplier to meet their needs. Similarly, 38% of the businesses reported exploring or expressing interest in reshoring – the practice of moving manufacturing back from other countries to the U.S. – at least some level of production.
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Wanted: Wisconsin Companies Looking to Grow… Via International Markets
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For many companies, selling into new markets is the fastest way to grow their businesses. More units sold results in revenue growth and greater economies of scale, leading to increased productivity and profits. Market share and brand recognition also increase which creates additional sales opportunities and boosts a company’s assets and valuation. Who wouldn’t want all that?
Unfortunately, the vast majority of US companies neglect the opportunities that exist in international markets. Even existing exporters fail to proactively seek out new international opportunities. According to the International Trade Administration, 98% of US exporting firms are classified as Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SME’s) and, of these, a full 84% sell to five or fewer international markets.
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What is the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin?
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Voting in the contest to determine the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin is underway once again in the annual competition sponsored by Wisconsin Manufacturer’s and Commerce and Johnson Financial Group. More than two dozen northeast Wisconsin manufacturers were among the nominees for the 2020 Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest. Voting in the Final 4 matchup begins on October 5. Remember to cast one vote daily to help decide the winner!
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FREE Business Counseling Available to Calumet County Businesses
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Business counseling is available through the Small Business Development Center. Ray York is eager to serve entrepreneurs and start-ups that are considering going in to business, and it isn’t too late for businesses feeling the effects of COVID-19 to contact the SBDC. Use the online contact form, or reach Ray by phone (920-946-9379) or email.
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Amazon has set October 13-14 for Prime Day and to encourage sales it is offering $100 million in discounts. Prime members are being incented to make purchases from third party sellers, who often use Amazon's advertising and fulfillment services, through October 12, with the offer of a $10 off coupon for use on Prime Day. Here's what else Amazon is promoting.
The average Costco location now exceeds annual sales of $200 million following the release of fourth quarter results that revealed the powerful effects of pandemic purchasing.
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New Holstein CDA Adopts Market Feasibility Study
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The New Holstein Community Development Authority (CDA) has adopted the Market Feasibility Study that was prepared by VandeWalle & Associates in part with grant funding from the US EDA. The feasibility study positions the city to redevelop the site of the former Tecumseh manufacturing facility. The CDA also took action to authorize the beginning stages of building demolition, including submission of a CDBG CLOSE Public Facilities grant application and development of preliminary RFP’s for building demolition.
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Steffen Schewerda Named CEO North America of Aebi Schmidt Group
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As of January 1, 2021, Steffen Schewerda will become the CEO North America of the Aebi Schmidt Group. He takes over from Jochen Schneider, who has held this position since the 4th quarter of 2018. In this function, he will be responsible for all North American sales and production sites from Aebi’s offices in Chilton.
Schewerda will be introduced to his new role by the current CEO North America, Jochen Schneider in October. Schneider has held the position of CEO North America since the 4th quarter of 2018 and will return to Europe at the end of 2020, where he will take over the management of all European plants of the Aebi Schmidt Group.
The Aebi Schmidt Group is a global leader of smart product systems and services for the treatment of mission-critical infrastructural and agricultural areas. The internationally oriented group has its headquarters in Frauenfeld (CH) with a second site in Zurich (CH) and has achieved a total turnover of more than € 500 million in 2019. It employs around 2,000 people in 11 production facilities and 16 local sales and service organizations in Europe, North America, Russia and China. In another 90 countries, the company is present through established partnerships with dealers. The brand portfolio consists of the product brands Aebi, Schmidt, Nido, Meyer, Swenson and MB, as well as recently acquired Arctic Machine and Équipements Lourds Papineau ELP. These are well established brands, some of which have been in the market for over 100 years.
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Next Generation takes over Steve's Auto Service Center
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After nearly forty years in the business, Steve Piepenburg, owner of Steve's Auto Service Center, retired on October 1. The tools have been handed over to his son Mitch, who is ready, willing, and able to offer the same fair and honest car repair services on which Steve built his business. Steve's Auto Service Center is located on Harlow Road west of Chilton.
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More Employees Would Help Ariens Meet High Demands
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The demand for Ariens Company’s products is not a problem. The challenge for the Brillion-headquartered company is guaranteeing that it has enough employees
to meet those demands.
The company holds monthly meetings with multiple departments in the company to discuss what the sales demand looks like and what the company’s dealers and retail partners are preparing to order. “It’s just been one of those years where our products are in high demand,” Ariens Company Vice President of Human Resources Steve Servais said. The company currently cannot build enough product to meet the demand that exists between the dealers and retail partners.
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Lieutenant Governor’s Small Business Academy Conference October 6-8
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Wisconsin small business owners are invited to register for the Lieutenant Governor’s Small Business Academy conference. This event runs from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm on October 6 -7 and from 8:30 am until noon on October 8. The virtual conference focuses on providing Wisconsin entrepreneurs and startups with an opportunity to connect with financial and technical resource providers, learn the tools needed to start and grow a business, and network with their peers.
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The 14th Annual Government Opportunities Business Conference (GOBC) is now virtual and will be hosting Industry and Government representatives for panel discussions, updates and 1-on-1 Buyer Meetings on October 15. Join WPI, Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Fort McCoy, Juneau County Economic Development and partners at the event.
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Fox Cities Days - Recruitment Event
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Fox Cities Days, the Fox Cities Chamber's workforce attraction program, is heading to Northern Michigan University! Join virtually on October 15 and put your business first in line with college students seeking early career placements. The feedback so far with virtual college recruiting is less students but better prospects!
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Fox Cities Operational Excellence Presents ... Virtual Lean Coffee
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Virtual Lean Coffee is a structured, but agenda-less complimentary meeting. Participants gather and cooperatively build an agenda. This virtual session will focus on the real-time interests and questions around Lean and Continuous Improvement. It's a chance to tap into the experience, knowledge and ideas of the other professionals. Join us for:
• Idea sharing, resources, lessons learned and frustrations
• Enhancing lean learning and development
• Obtaining ideas on how to make improvements in your organization
October 8, 2020 | 9:00-10:30 am
November 3, 2020 | 1:00-2:30 pm
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Explore Starting a Business
October 6, 2020
November 11, 2020
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Work for Yourself at 50+
October 15, 2020
November 10, 2020
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Join us virtually every Wednesday!
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Calumet County Community Economic Development contact information:
Mary Kohrell, Community Economic Development Director
Connie Leonhard, Program Assistant
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