Contact:
Ethnie Groves, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2156
22 Wisconsin Companies Celebrate 100 Years in Business
MILWAUKEE – Governor Jim Doyle today attended 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.
“Over the past century, these companies have not only contributed in countless ways to our economy, but they have supported generations of Wisconsin families and have become an integral part of our local communities,” Governor Doyle said. “One hundred years of successful business is a tremendous achievement. Through a century of good times and bad, through two World Wars and the Great Depression, these companies have weathered the storms of change, and of economic prosperity and uncertainty, to reach this milestone. They have shown a remarkable commitment to Wisconsin, and we, in turn, remain committed to them.”
Forward Wisconsin, Inc., created in 1984, is a unique public-private state marketing organization. It markets 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 Chairman of Forward Wisconsin’s board.
The following seven companies were not represented at the recognition program, but were honored for doing business in Wisconsin for the past century: The Antigo Daily Journal of Antigo, Johnson Brass and Machine Foundry of Saukville, Menasha Utilities of Menasha, National Presto Industries of Eau Claire, Okray Family Farms of Plover, Schauer & Schumacher Furniture of Green Bay, and Sturm Foods of Manawa.
Governor Doyle and Forward Wisconsin President Pepi Randolph presented the following companies with a Wisconsin-shaped plaque recognizing their 100 years of operation:
Badger Meter
Badger Meter, headquartered in Milwaukee, is a leading marketer and manufacturer of products used to measure the flow of liquids in a variety of applications. The company has earned an international reputation as a leader in the development of flow measurement technology. Badger Meter’s Milwaukee location includes a highly-automated manufacturing facility as well as a world-class technology center including design, laboratory, and test facilities. The firm employs more than 1,000 people worldwide.
Demco
Demco, headquartered in Madison, serves the needs of America’s libraries and schools. As they evolve, Demco continues to be a dedicated source for supplies, furniture, equipment, personal and professional service support, ideas, and how-to tips. The firm helps schools and libraries manage space, create inviting environments, and serve as a resource for individuals and communities.
Fortress Bank
Fortress Bank in Westby traces its roots back to the Coon Valley State Bank that was chartered in 1905. Fortress Bank was established to expand the territory of the original Coon Valley State Bank, and is part of the community Financial Group. Fortress Bank is a full-service financial institution that offers personal banking, commercial banking, lending, and financial development.
Konz Wood Products
Konz Wood Products in Appleton is a fourth generation family-owned business. It has grown from a local grocery store and sawmill into a $7 million manufacturing operation. Konz Wood Products makes pallets, shipping frames, crates, skids, mulch, and stock lumber. The company currently employs 50 people, who run one of the most advanced wooded pallet manufacturing plants in Wisconsin.
Ladish Company
Ladish Company, headquartered in Cudahy, is a family of precision metalworking companies with operations that supply forging, investment-casting, machining, and tool-making products and services to a range of customers worldwide. In addition to the company’s corporate office in Cudahy, the Ladish Company has a forging operation in Cudahy and a die-cast tooling facility in Racine. Key markets for the company include the aerospace, power generation, and transportation areas. With sales of nearly $200 million annually, the business has more than 1,000 employees throughout the United States.
Marathon State Bank
The Marathon State Bank in Marathon is a member of the community Bankers of Wisconsin. The full-service community financial institution continues to keep up the strong tradition of small-town Wisconsin banking.
Marion Body Works
Marion Body Works, headquartered in Marion, is an independent, family-owned manufacturer of cost competitive, engineered truck bodies. Their products include rescue and fire trucks, commercial van bodies, truck cabs, and military platforms. Operations occupy 123,000 square feet on a 61-acre site. Marion Body Works has approximately 150 employees, and annual sales of around $20 million.
McGann Furniture
McGann Furniture, located in Baraboo, offers flooring, custom window treatments, flooring, and unique accessories to its customers.
National Bank of Waupun
Although the National Bank of Waupun was officially organized on September 2, 1905, the roots of the bank, under an earlier charter and different name actually began back in 1876. This full-service bank offers personal and business banking services as well as loans. The National Bank of Waupun currently has three other branches in Brandon, Rosendale, and Fairwater.
Neenah Brass & Aluminum Foundry
Neenah Brass & Aluminum Foundry in Neenah produces brass, bronze, nickel, alloy, and aluminum castings in addition to sand casting and machining. The Neenah Brass & Aluminum Foundry is a key supplier of castings to Pierce Manufacturing and produces several components for its custom-built fire trucks.
Stoelting
Stoelting, outside of Kiel, is a diversified manufacturer of food service, cleaning, cheese making, and process equipment. Stoelting has a reputation for state-of-the-art engineering, uncompromising quality, and dedicated employees with the ability to design, manufacture, and install customized systems. Stoelting employs approximately 200 people. They purchase products from more than 700 suppliers and proudly serve more than 6,000 customers around the world.
Stora Enso – Wisconsin Rapids Mill
Stora Enso North America is the leading producer of paper products for the printing and publishing industries. It also produces specialty papers for consumer product packaging and labeling. The company has facilities in Wisconsin Rapids, Biron, Kimberly, Whiting, Stevens Point, and Niagara, Wisconsin; Duluth, Minnesota; and Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, Canada.
TSB Bank
TSB Bank, formerly Theresa State Bank, was founded in Theresa. It is a full-service, independent community bank with offices in Lomira, Theresa, and Mayville. Their market area consists of northeast Dodge County, northwest Washington County, and part of southern Fond du Lac County.
Whetherby Cranberry Company
Wetherby Cranberry Company is owned and operated by James and Nodji Vanwychen, together with family members Kyra, Shana, and Henry Vanwychen and Michael and Tonya Gnewikow. The firm has been packing high-quality fresh cranberries since 1905 and is the only family owned independent cranberry grower that packs fresh cranberries. The company sells its cranberries directly to the public to guarantee freshness and quality. The Wetherby Cranberry Marsh is located just outside of Warrens.
Wisconsin State Bank
Wisconsin State Bank is an independent community bank offering lending, as well as personal and commercial banking services. It has locations in Belgium, Prairie du Chien, Sheboygan Falls, and Random Lake. The Random Lake location is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
