It hasn’t taken long for companies across industry sectors from all over the globe to catch word of this thriving region, and many are making the move to take advantage of all it has to offer.
“I think businesses are taking a second, third and even a fourth look and saying, ‘Hey, somehow, we’ve got to have either our headquarters in Madison or at least a satellite office,’” says Paul Jadin, former president of the Madison Region Economic Partnership, the regional economic development organization covering south-central Wisconsin. “When we add two or three foreign companies, others then perk up and say, ‘What’s the deal with this movement to the Madison Region?’ They then do the research, look at all the rankings and say, ‘Hey, maybe it’s time for us to look at it as well.’”
Examples of companies that have expanded in the region since their move include Japan-based Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, which acquired cell developer and manufacturer Cellular Dynamics International; Luxembourg-based Eurofins Scientific, which purchased food testing company Covance Food Solutions; and Ireland-based Mallinckrodt, which bought regenerative skin tissue company Stratatech.
Other well-known companies that call the region home include American Family Insurance, Colony Brands, American Girl, Lands’ End and Epic Systems, which develops medical record software applications, and Hy Cite, a MadREP partner and family-owned business launched in Madison in 1959, which offers product development and distribution, financing, marketing and customer service to distributors and customers of its well-known cookware brands. Today, it has 10 corporate offices located in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Argentina.
“We’ve been able to access a very strong labor pool of very bright, educated people, and that’s been really positive for us,” says Erik Johnson, CEO of Hy Cite. “I think also just the whole climate of Madison is about reinventing yourself and learning, with the university here, so that’s also been very positive for us to be part of that environment.”
In addition to being part of the Madison environment, Johnson works to continually foster a diverse, welcoming atmosphere for his employees.
“We talk about diversity as far as different ethnic groups as well as being involved in the community, wellness programs, and trying to make sure we have diversity within the workplace in activities,” he says. “We consider ourselves one of the most diverse workplaces within Dane County. I think we’re over 70% diverse within the organization, and we’re really proud of that.”