News

January 23, 2012

3rd annual New Faces of Manufacturing event

Contact:
Carolyn Hahn, Director of Events & Public Relations
(262) 542-4249 ; chahn@waukesha.org

(Waukesha, WI)– The Waukesha County Manufacturing Alliance, in partnership with First Business Bank, Kolb+Co., Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, and R&R Insurance Services, Inc., will host the “New Faces of Manufacturing in Waukesha County – 2012 Edition” luncheon on Friday, March 2, 2012 starting at 11:15am at Country Springs Hotel & Conference Center in Pewaukee. The program will conclude at 1:20, with an optional question and answer period from 1:30-2:00pm.

The event is sponsored by Sensia Healthcare and will feature a presentation by Waukesha County manufacturing leaders including Mathew Alagna of Thomas Magnete, USA, Jeff Clark of Waukesha Metal Products, Nick Kroll of Aries Industries, Ken Kurek of Waukesha Foundry, Peter McCormick of Magnetek, and Brian White of GE Energy – Waukesha gas engines. The session will be moderated by Mark Sabljak, Publisher of The Business Journal Serving Greater Milwaukee.

Panel members will provide an overview of their businesses and address current issues facing manufacturing companies, such as the challenge of finding qualified employees.

“Despite high unemployment rates, we continue to hear from our Waukesha County manufacturers that they are unable to expand or fill existing openings,” said Suzanne Kelley, president of Waukesha County Business Alliance. “They cannot find qualified employees with the technical skills that are needed.”

Other 2012 events for the Manufacturing Alliance will include Schools2Skills tours offered to high school students in the 11 Waukesha County school districts to focus on careers in manufacturing and the skilled trades, ‘best practice’ events at three local manufacturing organizations and leading the implementation of the National Association of Manufacturer’s Dream !t Do !t campaign.

For information on the Manufacturing Alliance and to register for the 3^rd Annual New Faces of Manufacturing, visit www.waukesha.org.

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Manufacturing Alliance Charter
We, the members of theWaukesha County Manufacturing Alliance, pledge to promote the advancement of manufacturing in the greater Waukesha County area. Our collective goal is to raise the image and awareness of manufacturing as a viable and prosperous career path, and to highlight the necessity of a strong manufacturing base in ensuring the security and opportunities for future generations. We will provide a forum to share and distribute information and provide connections to the exceptional resources in Waukesha County.

We will, in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration, engage in discussions and actions to drive the following initiatives: Best Practice Sharing, Cost Reduction, Risk Mitigation, New Business Development, and Improving the Perception of Manufacturing. These initiatives will be pursued in a manner consistent with ensuring the sustainability of our businesses as an on-going concern, while promoting the sustainability and prosperity of the communities in which we operate and live.

About Waukesha County Business Alliance
Waukesha County Business Alliance is a countywide chamber of commerce with over 900 member companies, representing over 60,000 employees. The mission of the Alliance is to drive economic growth in Waukesha County by fostering a vibrant business community built on a foundation of four pillars: Advocacy, Development, Networking and Promotion. The Alliance provides opportunities for its members to advocate on behalf of the business community, develop themselves and their employees, network and build strong business relationships and promote their business.