CONTACT:
Susan Schierstedt, (920) 424-2257
OSHKOSH – Two more family businesses have joined the Wisconsin Family Business Forum (WFBF) at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
The new members are Midwest Merchandising Inc. and Pinnow Sheet Metal Inc., both of Oshkosh. There are now 35 family-business members of the WFBF.
Both family businesses are in the process of succession and are joining the WFBF in part to take advantage of the programs, networking opportunities and resources it provides on issues facing family businesses.
The Carstens family purchased Midwest Merchandising in 1998. The company distributes advertising specialties, packaging and Avery-Dennison fastening supplies in the upper Midwest.
Family members in the business include CEO Jack Carstens, President Linda Carstens and Vice President William Carstens.
Cliff Pinnow founded Pinnow Sheet Metal in 1965. The company, which remains a privately held family business, manufactures and installs rain gutters, downspouts and gutter covers for all types of buildings throughout the Fox Valley.
Family members in the business include President Lee Pinnow, Vice President Mary Fay Pinnow, foreman Tim Pinnow and office manager Heather Holly.
WFBF is the oldest family business organization in Wisconsin, with a membership that includes family businesses and sponsoring family business professional organizations. The sponsoring organizations include First National Bank-Fox Valley, of Appleton, Menasha, Neenah and Oshkosh; McCarty Curry Wydeven Peeters and Haak LLP, Kaukauna; Retained Earnings Company/Mass Mutual Financial Group, Neenah; Right Management Consultants, Appleton; Schenck Business Solutions, Appleton; and the UW-Oshkosh College of Business Administration. The Business News of Green Bay is an associate sponsoring organization.
