February 2010, Around the State
Northeast
New North firms recognized for excellence
Three northeast Wisconsin companies have received New North Workplace Excellence Award, sponsored by Right Management: Miles Kimball Co. of Oshkosh, Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin, Menasha, and McCain Foods USA of Appleton. The annual award recognizes organizations that demonstrate significant, measurable improvement tied to workplace policies or practices.
“Miles Kimball, Goodwill, and McCain Foods all implemented policies that dramatically improved their respective workplaces, and they’re all very deserving of this award,” says Jerry Murphy, New North Inc. executive director.
Miles Kimball Co. was selected because of its strong emphasis on employee wellness, safety and continuous improvement. By putting in place new safety practices, the company dramatically reduced its reportable injuries. And after launching its healthy workplace initiative, employee insurance premium increases were held to no more than three to five percent over a four-year period, resulting in a health care savings of $5.4 million during the past eight years.
Goodwill, which was also the first winner of the New North People, Possibilities and Progress Diversity Award two years ago, stood out for transforming its culture and building a financially strong, environmentally friendly business model while always putting people first. Before revamping its people practices, Goodwill’s turnover rate spiked to over 100 percent in 2003, turnover decreased to 52.45 percent and is expected to total 35.67 percent for 2009.
The McCain Foods USA, Appleton plant was exemplary for developing and sustaining a “work safe” culture and making key reductions in employee turnover while continually delivering against business goals. McCain Foods decreased recordable injuries from 119 in 2002 to seven in 2009. The company increased plant productivity each of the last eight years, reduced overhead spending the past six years, and delivered its fiscal plan to the business 10 years in a row. Employee turnover was also reduced by 75 percent.
New North Inc. is a regional collaboration effort focused on promoting regional cooperation and economic development in an 18-county region in northeast Wisconsin.
Orion receives approval for wind turbine
Orion Energy Systems in Manitowoc has received municipal approval to build a wind turbine at the power technology enterprises’ Woodland Drive world headquarters. Orion’s wind turbine is expected to generate 20 kilowatts of electricity that will be used to help power the company’s technology center and manufacturing facility. The electricity generated by the wind turbine is enough to regularly power the equivalent of four to five homes a year. The turbine, manufactured by Oshkosh-based Renewegy LLC, will be 115 feet tall.
“We are pleased that the city approved this project and we’re excited to be bringing the first urban wind project to Manitowoc County,” says Orion CEO Neal Verfuerth. “By installing this technology adjacent to our facility where the electricity will be used, we are demonstrating how renewable generating sources can be connected directly to the customer load. At the same time, we’re supporting a Wisconsin-based company — investing in Wisconsin workers and investing in our state’s economy.”
The wind turbine will be erected in early spring 2010 just north of Orion’s technology center in Manitowoc.
MOVERS
>> Maria Milano, co-owner and winemaker at Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery, has joined the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors.
>> Steve Fidlin has joined Alta Resources as the program director for the Johnson & Johnson sales team.
>> Steinhilber, Swanson, Mares, Marone, & McDermott of Oshkosh has added Attorney John W. Menn to the firm.
>> Kim Bassett-Heitzmann was recently elected as chief executive officer and president of Bassett Mechanical in Kaukauna.
BUSINESS BRIEFS
GREEN BAY: Greenwood Fuels has joined the coalition for Clean, Responsible Energy for Wisconsin’s Economy. The firm, which opened a plant in Green Bay last year, converts non-recyclable waste products, including sludge from the paper production process, into fuel pellets that have the same heat value as coal. The pellets can be burned in industrial applications, reducing fuel costs, landfill costs, and greenhouse gas emissions.
NEENAH: Alta Resources has announced the acquisition of Beantree Inc., creator of Beanbasket, an eCommerce platform. “This acquisition is a perfect fit for Alta, Beantree and our customers,” says Dave Coe, Alta Resources chief information officer. “Beanbasket provides our customers with an impressive solution that positions them for eCommerce success. Combined with Alta’s sales, customer care and fulfillment services, we deliver fully integrated services to companies of all types and sizes.” The Beantree team will relocate from Appleton to Neenah.