Manufacturing Alliance

The Waukesha County Manufacturing Alliance serves as a platform for manufacturers to share ideas, encourage innovation, work together to transform the image of manufacturing and target new talent. The Manufacturing Alliance was formed in 2010 in response to the critical needs of our manufacturers, who account for 20% of industry — or 1 in 5 jobs — in Waukesha County.

Here are some programs of the Manufacturing Alliance:

Manufacturing Executive Council – The Manufacturing Executive Council is comprised of manufacturing leaders who set the strategic direction for the work of the Waukesha County Manufacturing Alliance – working to raise the profile of manufacturing in Waukesha County, share best practices and attract a talented pipeline of skilled labor.
OpEx tours – The Waukesha County Business Alliance hosts Operational Excellence tours for its Manufacturing Alliance members. Company leaders come together to tour a manufacturer in Waukesha County to share best practices, offer leadership level learning opportunities and foster a strong manufacturing environment in southeast Wisconsin.
HREx programs – The Waukesha County Business Alliance hosts an HR Excellence Series for its Manufacturing Alliance members to share best practices, offer leadership level learning opportunities and foster a strong manufacturing environment in Waukesha County. Manufacturing human resources professionals from around Waukesha County hear from a guest speaker on the topics that most affect their work day-to-day. Attendees share best practices, questions and ideas through a facilitated roundtable discussion on the speaker’s topic following the presentation.
Schools2Skills™ Manufacturing tours – Schools2Skills™ Manufacturing gives Waukesha County middle and high school students the opportunity to tour local manufacturers and see firsthand the innovative and advanced technology right here in southeast Wisconsin. Schools2Skills™ Manufacturing is dedicated to educating students about what the manufacturing industry has to offer, showing them that a career in manufacturing allows those with highly technical skills to excel and succeed.
Careers Uncovered – Careers Uncovered is a new program designed to help Waukesha County educators learn more about the career pathways offered in Waukesha County’s key industries. Educators visit a local company to learn about the career pathways available in the industry, tour the company and network with employees from all areas of business operations and have a roundtable discussion with company leadership. The experience concludes with educators working together to reflect and put together an action plan to apply the knowledge they gained to assist with the academic and career planning process.
Manufacturing the Future Expo – The Manufacturing the Future Expo is an annual career expo that brings in 800 high school students to learn about career opportunities and pathways in manufacturing.

If you’re interested in learning more about this group, contact the Alliance.

Alliance members recognized at annual Manufacturer of the Year event

March 2, 2020

Congratulations to Metal-Era and Felss Rotaform! Metal Era was recognized for exceptional customer focus and satisfaction while Felss Rotaform was recognized for outstanding employee engagement and culture. The annual awards program, sponsored by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, honors companies that demonstrate a commitment to business excellence, support for their workforce and involvement in the community. […]

Aligning local, state and federal priorities to help targeted populations re-enter the workforce

January 15, 2020

One of the Alliance’s top workforce development policy priorities in 2020 is supporting programs that assist targeted populations to enter or re-enter the workforce. Earlier this week, the Alliance was proud to attend a special program of the Joseph Project, which included a roundtable discussion led by Jared Kushner, senior advisor to President Trump, U.S. Senator Ron […]

Joseph Project looking for additional manufacturing company partners

December 19, 2019

For several years, Alliance manufacturing companies have partnered with the Joseph Project, a career placement program endorsed by U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, in partnership with a team of local advocates dedicated to promoting empowerment in the City of Milwaukee. The program, run through Greater Praise Church of God in Christ on Milwaukee’s north side, provides […]

Schools2Skills™ celebrates 10 years of providing students with tours of local businesses

November 4, 2019

Originating as a way to connect superintendents and teachers with local manufacturers, Schools2Skills™ quickly evolved into a platform for educating students about the career opportunities in manufacturing. Schools2Skills™ gives middle and high school students tours of local manufacturers to see firsthand the innovative and advanced technology available right here in southeast Wisconsin. To date, over 3,600 students have attended Schools2Skills™ […]

800+ Students Visit 2019 M.A.D.E Expo

October 30, 2019

In support of Manufacturing Month, the Waukesha County Business Alliance was proud to host over 800 middle and high school students at the 2019 M.A.D.E. Career Expo. The interactive expo gives students the opportunity to learn about career pathways in manufacturing from area companies. As the number one contributor to Wisconsin’s economy, manufacturing produces more […]

Ramping up business education partnerships

October 9, 2019

Now that area students are one month in to the 2019-20 school year, the Alliance is officially kicking off our school year business and education programs.

Manufacturing Executive Council

Jim Zaiser

Chair
President/CEO
Hydro-Thermal Corp

Chris Shult

Vice Chair
President
Bevco Engineering Company, Inc.

David Bahl Jr.

Owner/Plant Manager
Weldall Manufacturing, Inc.

Brian Baker

President and CEO
Sentry Equipment Corp

Betsy Bear Hoff

President
Alloy Products Corp

Bill Berrien

CEO
Pindel Global Precision

Mike Brancato

President
KHS USA, Inc.

Larry Brown

CEO
Aries Industries, Inc.

Jeff Clark

CEO
Waukesha® Metal Products

Steen Coleman

President & CEO
M2M Group

Kim Erdmann

CEO
Schaefer Brush Manufacturing LLC

Waleed Gamay

Vice President of Operations
DreamPak LLC

David Gazzo

CEO
Felss Rotaform LLC

Neal Glaeser

President
Denali Ingredients LLC

Bill Goggins

CEO
Harken USA

Bob Gross

President
Gross Automation

Tim Hearden

SR Vice President of Operations
Generac Power Systems, Inc.

Ken Heins

CEO/President
KLH Industries, Inc.

Luis Hernandez, Jr.

Owner
Urethane Systems Plus Inc.

Neil Karolek

President
TLX Technologies LLC

Al Leidinger

President
Mathison Manufacturing, Inc.

Kevin Lichtenberg

CEO
Stanek Tool LLC

Kent Lorenz

Community Leader

John Miller

Treasurer
Engineering Specialists Inc

Michael Mills

General Manager
GE Healthcare

Bob Mortensen

Chief Operating Officer
HUSCO International

Alan Petelinsek

CEO
Power Test Inc.

Fritz Reich

President/Owner
Reich Tool & Design Inc

Doug Sawyer

Vice President
Universal Welding & Engineering Inc

Don Schlidt

CEO
Dedicated Computing

Jim Schneberger

President
New Berlin Plastics

Jack Siehoff

Waukesha Site & Engineering Leader
INNIO Waukesha Gas Engines

Eric Skibo

Senior VP & General Manager
MetalTek International

Rick Steinke

VP of Manufacturing
Sentry® Equipment Corp

Judie Taylor