Contact: Lori Ritter, (920) 496-2110
Green Bay, Wis. (November 10, 2005) On Wednesday November 9th, Advance, the economic development arm of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, presented the 2005 Manufacturing Awards of Distinction. The program recognizes manufacturing excellence throughout Northeastern Wisconsin.
Winning in the small manufacturer category for companies with 1-99 employees, was CulinArte' Marketing Group, LLC-Green Bay. CulinArte' is a specialty food manufacturer, distributor and marketer. The company produces customized special sauces and fully cooked products directed at national restaurant chains, individual restaurants and individual chefs.
The large manufacturer of distinction award went to Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry Co., Inc. of Manitowoc. The award is presented to a company with 300 or more employees. Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry is a manufacturer of non-ferrous metal castings, primarily aluminum and brass, produced for a variety of industries including manufacturers of gasoline commercial engines, generators, diesel and marine engines, and farm, construction, and paper making machinery. Wisconsin Aluminum's consumer line includes pressure cookers, aluminum utensils, and medical sterilizers.
The High-Tech Manufacturing Award of Distinction was presented to WS Packaging Group, Inc. of Algoma. WS Packaging Group is comprised of multiple facilities offering a wide array of printing and packaging products and services including pressure sensitive labels and coupons, folded cartons, printed tape, decals, security tags, RFID labels, inserters and applicators, commercial printing, specialty packaging, and custom application equipment.
A special Judge's Choice Manufacturing Award of Distinction was presented to Northport Corporation of St. Cloud located in Gillett for their commitment to strengthening manufacturing in Northeastern Wisconsin. Northport Corporation of St. Cloud manufactures several lines of boats for recreational fishing and pleasure under the MirroCraft name. The lines include Pro Level Fishing, Family Leisure, Anglers Choice and Predator Series. Unlike other businesses in rural Wisconsin that have relocated or closed leaving areas like Gillett distressed, management has made a commitment to remain in the Gillett community helping their local economy and striving to maintain and enhance employee relations in the community.
New to the program this year was the Friends of Manufacturing Award. Sheltered Industries in Green Bay was the recipient of the 2005 award. Sheltered Industries is a 115,000 sq. ft. contract manufacturing production facility providing innovative outsourcing solutions to businesses throughout Northeastern Wisconsin.
With state-of-the-art material handling, packaging and production machinery, they strive for exceptional service while providing employment and training opportunities to individuals with disabilities.
Developed on the premise of economic development, Advance is a public-private partnership committed to improving and diversifying the local economy. Since its inception in 1987, the Advance Business Development Center business incubator has graduated more than 100 start-up companies. Providing local business assistance for retention, labor, recruiting, expansion and relocation, Advance is at the core economic development in the Green Bay area.
Established in 1882, the mission of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is to promote economic and community development. Chamber programs include Advance, Partners in Education, Leadership Green Bay, Brown County Teen Leadership, Current: Young Professionals Network, Good Government Council, the Highway 41 Corridor International Business Program, and the Small Business Council.
For more information about Advance, call or email Paul Ehrfurth, 496-2113, ehrfurth@titletown.org. For more information about the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and its programs, call 437-8704 or visit www.titletown.org.
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