Smith & Gesteland: Wisconsin Family Business of the Year Award nominees announced

For additional information contact

Neil Fauerbach, Director of Marketing

Smith & Gesteland

608-836-7500 – neil.fauerbach@sgcpa.com

MADISON, WI APRIL 9, 2014: An award honoring family businesses in Wisconsin has drawn nominations from across the state. 19 companies are competing for the Wisconsin Family Business of the Year Award in three categories. Awards will be given to Small (1-49 employees), Medium (50-99) and Large (100+) companies.

Nominees represent first through fifth generation companies representing construction, food, software, book binding, retail, and restaurants. The oldest company started operations in 1854 and represents the oldest business yet nominated for this award.

The nominees are:
* Automation Components, Inc. Middleton
* Bergey Jewelry Mount Horeb
* CCB, Inc. Racine
* Dennis’ Mobil Mart Brookfield
* Find Accounting Software Milwaukee
* Grimm Book Bindery, Inc. Madison
* HM Graphics Milwaukee
* Masters Gallery Foods, Inc. Plymouth
* Michael F. Simon Builders, Inc. Waunakee
* Mid-State Equipment Columbus
* Mill Haven Foods New Lisbon
* Peterson Wood Treating, Inc. Superior
* Professional Construction, Inc. Waukesha
* S&L Companies (Culvers Franchisee) Portage
* Schmalz Custom Landscaping & Garden Center Appleton
* Standard Process Palmyra
* State Collection Service, Inc. Madison
* Super Steel, LLC Milwaukee
* US Venture, Inc. Appleton

The winners will be selected by a panel of independent judges based on criteria including: positive links between family and business, contribution to community and industry, and innovative practices. The winners will be announced at a banquet on Thursday, May 1st, 2014 at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton. The banquet is open to the public as well as the nominees.

Family-owned firms contribute a great deal to the economy of the United States. Family-owned businesses account for 60% of total U.S. employment, 78% of all new jobs, and 65% of wages paid. Their economic influence is enormous, producing an estimated 50% of the nation’s gross domestic product. Not only that, it has been recently reported by family business researchers in the UK that employees are happiest in family businesses.

The award program is sponsored by Smith & Gesteland, a Madison-based CPA and consulting firm, First Business Bank, and Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C., a Wisconsin law firm.

For more information on the program and the banquet you can call Neil Fauerbach at 608-836- 7500, or visit http://www.familybusinessaward.com.