Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation: Wisconsin manufacturers invited to supply chain readiness workshop in Milwaukee

Oct. 29 session for small and midsize businesses to focus on productivity, vendor readiness 

MADISON, WI. OCT. 9, 2018 – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), in collaboration with Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing & Productivity, the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the Milwaukee 7, is hosting an informational workshop on Monday, Oct. 29, on supply chain readiness.

The Milwaukee workshop will include information to help manufacturers respond to industrial innovation trends that are impacting the industry, including updates to statewide resources designed to help improve productivity, prepare for Industry 4.0 and establish a path for global competitiveness.

The session will also provide small and midsize manufacturers with details on how to become part of the supply chain for the Foxconn Technology Group as well as other major companies. Representatives from Foxconn will be on hand to provide participants with an introduction to the vendor readiness process the company will follow as it engages with potential suppliers.

The workshop will take place at the WE Energies Public Service Building at 231 W. Michigan St. Registration will take place from 1 to 1:30 p.m.; the session will run from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The session is free, but space is limited and advance registration is required. To register, visit wisconnvalley.wi.gov.

The workshop is part of the Supplier Readiness Series that WEDC is hosting statewide. So far, more than 400 business have participated in five workshops. Another session is set for Oct. 19 in Superior.

All businesses are also encouraged to register with the Wisconsin Supply Chain Marketplace directory, which provides companies with a convenient way to find Wisconsin suppliers in a simple-to-use system that delivers results and supplier solutions.

Companies that create profiles on wisupplychainmarketplace.com will receive timely communication when Foxconn and other companies post requests for proposals to source suppliers for specific projects. The online tool is free of charge, and all Wisconsin businesses are eligible to create a profile.

Foxconn’s advanced manufacturing campus in Mount Pleasant is expected to create up to 13,000 jobs, as well as thousands of construction jobs. Once the Wisconn Valley Science & Technology Park is fully operational, Foxconn is expected to make $4.26 billion in supplier purchases annually, with roughly one-third being sourced from Wisconsin. The project is expected to have at least a $7 billion annual economic impact on the state and generate between $116 million and $157 million in state tax revenue annually once fully operational.