Forward Wisconsin: Governor Doyle to Recognize 100-Year-Old Wisconsin Businesses

For More Information Contact:
Scott Reigstad, Forward Wisconsin, 608.261.2506

U.S. Bank Championship will be the site for the “Centennial Business Celebration”

Madison – Governor Jim Doyle will visit Brown Deer Park Golf Course on Friday morning, July 22 but he won’t be swinging a club; the Governor will be recognizing companies that are celebrating their 100th anniversary of doing business in Wisconsin. Governor Doyle will attend the U.S. Bank Championship professional golf tournament to specifically honor 22 businesses that have been operating in the state since 1905. The recognition program is an annual event coordinated by Forward Wisconsin, the state’s business attraction and marketing organization.

“Being in business for 100 years is a great accomplishment,” Governor Doyle said. “And having so many long-standing businesses in Wisconsin illustrates our economic strength and stability, as well as our commitment to excellence and a strong work ethic. I am proud to honor these firms for their contributions to Wisconsin and celebrate their 100th anniversaries.”

The Centennial Business Celebration ceremony for the 100-year-old Wisconsin businesses will take place at 9:30 a.m. at We Energies’ Corporate Tent in the U.S. Bank Championship Corporate Village. This will be the 15th year that Forward Wisconsin has organized an event at the U.S. Bank Championship in partnership with one of its private sector partners. This year, We Energies is sponsoring the business recognition ceremony. Fifteen of the 22 businesses that are being recognized will have representatives at the event.

The 22 companies celebrating their 100th anniversaries include: Antigo Daily Journal (Antigo); Badger Meter, Inc. (Milwaukee); DEMCO, Inc. (Madison); Fortress Bank (Westby); Johnson Brass and Machine Foundry, Inc. (Saukville); Konz Wood Products (Appleton); Ladish Co., Inc. (Cudahy); Marathon State Bank (Marathon); Marion Body Works, Inc. (Marion); McGann Furniture, Inc. (Baraboo); Menasha Utilities (Menasha); The National Bank Of Waupun (Waupun); National Presto Industries, Inc. (Eau Claire); Neenah Brass & Aluminum Foundry (Neenah); Okray Family Farms (Plover); Schauer & Schumacher Furniture (Green Bay); Stoelting (Kiel); Stora Enso – Wisconsin Rapids Mill (Wisconsin Rapids); Sturm Foods, Inc. (Manawa); TSB Bank (Lomira); Wetherby Cranberry Company (Warrens); and Wisconsin State Bank (Random Lake).

Governor Doyle and Forward Wisconsin President Pepi Randolph will present the companies with a Wisconsin-shaped plaque recognizing their 100 years of operation.

Forward Wisconsin, Inc., (ForwardWI.com), created in 1984, is a unique public-private state
marketing organization. Its job is marketing Wisconsin’s business advantages outside the state to educate decision-makers on the positive benefits of living, working, playing and doing business in Wisconsin. Governor Jim Doyle is Forward Wisconsin’s Chairman of the Board.