WEDC: Adds second supply chain readiness workshop in Milwaukee for Wisconsin manufacturers

WEDC: Adds second supply chain readiness workshop in Milwaukee
for Wisconsin manufacturers

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

MADISON, WI. OCT. 17, 2018 – In response to strong demand, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has scheduled a second informational workshop on supply chain readiness for Monday, Oct. 29, in downtown Milwaukee.

WEDC and its partners — Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing & Productivity, the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the Milwaukee 7 – added the morning session after the afternoon workshop reached capacity.

The just-added workshop will take place at the WE Energies Public Service Building at 231 W. Michigan St. Registration is from 9 to 9:30 a.m.; the session will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

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

The workshops will include information to help small and midsize 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 companies 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 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.