S u m m e r 2012
W a u k e s h a C o u n t y Ec o n o m i c D e v e l o p m e n t n o w
Mike Laeuger, PET New Project Introduction
Design Transfer Leader,
GE Healthcare
GE at Work in Wisconsin
See page
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G E At W o r k in W isconsin
A global product developed and made in Waukesha fuels local growth
Then, there’s the story of the development of one of the leading diagnostic scanners in the
world, the Discovery PET/CT 690, which was developed and continues to be manufactured
and assembled only in Waukesha. The Discovery PET/CT 690 is primarily used to help manage
patients with cancer, heart disease and brain disorders. Launched in 2008, the Discovery
PET/CT 690 has the power to capture two types of medical images in one machine. On the
PET image, the physician sees how the body is functioning. On the CT image, the physician
sees the body’s anatomic structure. The combined PET/CT image shows the patient’s
comprehensive picture, aiding physicians in making appropriate treatment decisions.
The Discovery PET/CT 690 is manufactured in Waukesha, with the PETs built on one side of
the plant, and the CTs built on the other side, with just an aisle separating the two. Then, the
two systems are assembled into one machine. In addition to the machine, the GE Healthcare
team in Waukesha has continued to develop software and other continuous improvements
over the last four years. The Discovery PET/CT 690 has been a driver of economic impact for
GE Healthcare in both Waukesha and Wisconsin, and it has helped thousands of patients globally.
Discovery PET/CT 690
Economic impact of GE Healthcare is personal – meet Mike Laeuger
GE Healthcare’s economic impact story in Wisconsin can be told
in several ways. First, there’s the recent study commissioned by
GE Healthcare, which includes some compelling numbers:
GE Healthcare’s overall annual economic impact in Wisconsin is $3.8 billion.
GE Healthcare generates over $10.4 million in economic activity in Wisconsin
every day. $1 of every $63 in Wisconsin’s economy is due to GE Healthcare’s
activities in the state.
The company employs about 6,500 people in Wisconsin, and each of those jobs
supports an additional 2.3 jobs. That’s a total of 21,400 people in the state who
have a job directly or indirectly because of GE Healthcare.
In its supply chain, GE Healthcare purchases more than $400 million annually
from 1,100-plus Wisconsin-based businesses, and more than $100 million from
nearly 150 small business suppliers.
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But perhaps the best example of economic
impact can be drawn by meeting Mike
Laeuger, PET NPI design transfer leader for
the Discovery PET/CT 690. Mike is one of the
2,800 GE Healthcare Wisconsin employees who
have collectively earned engineering degrees.
For Laeuger, economic impact is personal.
He started at GE Healthcare in Waukesha in
October 2001 as a production support engineer
for PET. In his 11 years at GE Healthcare, he’s
seen the PET program grow from just 100 to
1,400 systems worldwide. Laeuger worked
with the CT manufacturing team to assemble
it to work with the PET system, resulting in the
Discovery PET/CT 690. It has a new patient
table that is simpler to use and smoother to
operate. This new design used more than 200
new parts that Laeuger and his team tracked
for production and testing purposes.
However, Laeuger’s role requires more than
just engineering. He works with suppliers on
parts that are not made correctly and helps
them revise their processes to provide usable
material. He also serves as a technical writer,
writing the assembly and test instructions for
the production associates. He participates
in “lean” workouts where the entire
manufacturing team looks for simpler ways
to assemble and test the systems. About six
years ago, Laeuger was promoted to be a part
of the New Product Introduction team where
he works with both the manufacturing and
engineering teams on new products to make
sure they are designed so they can be built
efficiently. Because GE Healthcare is a medical
equipment manufacturer whose products
directly affect a patient’s health, Laeuger has
to make sure the equipment is well tested and
properly documented for a number of global
regulatory government agencies, such as the
United States Food and Drug Administration.
As if that weren’t enough, Laeuger serves as a
tour guide for the manufacturing floor where
he gets to show off the work that he and his
team perform in Waukesha.
Laeuger, one of more than 2,000 Waukesha
employees, is extremely proud of
GE Healthcare and the Waukesha facility,
which is the largest industrial campus in
Wisconsin. “I work with other GE Engineers
around the globe and am proud that they know
of Waukesha and the products we produce,”
said Laeuger. “There are many days when I
am driving home that I think of the talented,
intelligent, and dedicated professionals I work
with, many of whom have moved to Waukesha
from Korea, China, Japan, Egypt, Brazil, India,
Germany, and elsewhere. We are all focused
on making the best product we can for our
customers and their patients,” he shared.
Mike Laeuger
Laeuger knows one of those patients only
too well. “Several years ago, my mother
was diagnosed with colon cancer, and more
recently with lung cancer. She has been going
through treatment at local hospitals and always
proudly tells the nurses who are performing the
CT and PET scans ‘Do you know my son makes
these scanners in Waukesha?’ I am glad that the
hospitals at which she is being treated use
GE equipment – I believe they are the best
there is.” For Laeuger and the GE Healthcare
team in Waukesha, there is no greater impact
than that.
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N E W L O A N P R O G R A M F O R S M A L L B U S I N E S S E S AT W O R K
$140,000
investment
9
2
jobs retained
jobs created
Economic Benefit to
Waukesha County: A
$140,000 expansion in
facilities, software and
marketing tools will create at
least 2 jobs and in turn reduce
operating costs for customers.
Project Partners:
WCEDC, Waukesha County,
WCTC, Wisconsin Business
Development, Waukesha
County Business Alliance, SBA,
BMO Financial Group,
Wisconsin Women’s Business
Initiative Corporation
LO N G -T E R M E C O N O M I C D E V E LO P M E N T AT W O R K
$8.3 million
Financing: Logical Green Solutions
Expanding: Alto-Shaam Inc.
Logical Green Solutions (LGS), a division of Total Team
Construction in Waukesha, provides economical, highquality and eco-friendly LED retrofit lighting for businesses.
In partnership with Waukesha State Bank, the first
Waukesha County Leveraged Loan Program loan to close
funded LGS. LGS will now be able to expand its services
for clients such as Concordia University – Wisconsin’s
Adult Learning Center in Waukesha. This is an example of
improving real world ‘access to capital’ in Waukesha County.
Alto-Shaam, a global designer and manufacturer of products for
the food production industry has launched a major expansion
in Menomonee Falls. A corporate anchor in Waukesha County’s
economy since 1956, Alto-Shaam’s 30,000 square foot expansion
project includes elements that are the ‘sweet spot’ of long-term economic development, such as:
Supply Chain Impact – Alto-Shaam’s operations support 406 Waukesha, 454 regional and
1,234 State of Wisconsin suppliers.
Exporting – More than 60% of Alto-Shaam’s products and services are exported outside the
State of Wisconsin.
Please read more about the Waukesha County Leverage
Loan Program below, and consider how this program might
help you or another business with access to funding in order
to continue to grow our economy in Waukesha County.
LED lighting retrofit lamps.
Technology/R&D – Alto-Shaam holds numerous patents, and will invest nearly 4% of
sales in research and development in 2012. Alto-Shaam’s use of advanced laser robotic welding
and other automated fabrication equipment aligns with the manufacturing cluster focus of the
State of Wisconsin.
Innovation – Awarded numerous Kitchen Innovation Awards by the National
Restaurant Association.
Waukesha County Leverage Loan Program
Gap Financing Available Now! Up to $50,000 (no collateral)
WCEDC, along with several community partners including Waukesha County, WCTC,
Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corporation, the Waukesha County Business
Alliance, SBA and M&I, a part of BMO Financial Group is proud to announce that the first
loan has closed for the County’s new Leverage Loan Program.
investment
300
110
jobs retained
jobs created (by 2015)
Economic Benefit to
Waukesha County: This
$8 million investment
in connecting two
manufacturing facilities,
centralizing processes and
purchasing advanced laser
robotic welding will create
over 100 new jobs.
Sustainability – Alto-Shaam’s ‘Green Team’ worked with WCEDC’s
Sustainability Advisory Team to explore sustainability best practices to reduce
costs and environmental impacts.
Global Competitiveness – The company’s major competitors are in Germany and
Illinois. This project will bring back 5M Euros of manufacturing currently procured from Europe.
WCEDC recognizes the contribution of anchor corporations like Alto-Shaam to the economic health
of Waukesha County, the region and State of Wisconsin.
Project Partners:
WCEDC, WEDC, WCTC,
Village of Menomonee Falls,
We Energies, Workforce
Development Center
The program, launched on January 31st, can fund up to one-third of a project’s costs,
including equipment and facility improvements that will make the expansion succeed.
The funding can help small businesses add capacity and grow.
Loans are:
To be eligible:
• Second stage business growth
• 3% interest rate
• In business for 2 years
• Interest only (no principal reduction)
• Manufacturing or IT focused
• No collateral
County Executive
Daniel P. Vrakas (left) cooks
up economic development
with Alto-Shaam test kitchen
chef Nicolas Tsikis (right).
To access, call or contact:
Barbara Eckblad
Director of Lending, Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation
beckblad@wwbic.com
414-395-4533
These two projects were selected from more than
110 facilitated by WCEDC since January 2011. Success to date:
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$115.9
million total
investment
711
total
projected jobs
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H ighlights f r om W C E D C ’ s 2012 A nnual M eeting :
Thanks to our Annual
Meeting sponsors:
Wisconsin Economic
Development Corporation
Celebrating Innovation in Waukesha County – with the Community Chambers
of Waukesha County
WCEDC, with the Community Chambers of Waukesha County, held its Annual Meeting May 1st
at the Waukesha County Expo Center. County Executive Daniel P. Vrakas and hundreds of CEOs,
business leaders and professionals, government officials, and civic and community leaders were
in attendance for an evening of high-level networking, displays of innovation and the impact of
WCEDC on economic growth in Waukesha County.
County Executive Vrakas kicked off the event and joined WCTC president Barbara Prindiville in
recognizing outgoing County Board Chair Jim Dwyer for his many years of service to Waukesha
County and his passionate support of WCEDC and economic development.
City of Oconomowoc
Oconomowoc Utilities
U T I L I T I E S
Weiss Berzowski Brady LLP
Bill Mitchell, WCEDC’s executive director, shared the impact of the corporation from high up in the
bucket of the Odyne hybrid lift truck. “WCEDC is proud to say that we’ve made a positive impact
in Waukesha County’s economic growth, development and investment,” said Mitchell. “We are
grateful to our public and private partners who believe in what we’re doing. Deals are getting done.
Companies are expanding, equipment and facilities are being funded, and new jobs are being
created,” Mitchell continued. “That’s what WCEDC does, and we’re the primary entity in Waukesha
County specifically and solely dedicated to economic development,” Mitchell said.
Seven organizations share how innovation is fueling growth
T I L I T I E S
MaverickUInnovation
Lab
The meeting also celebrated innovation, via seven organizations whose innovations have
positioned them for jobs, profits and continued growth. WCEDC directly assisted six of the seven
companies with research, funding and/or expansion projects:
Aptar: a global company that designed the first flip-top cap featured their new enclosures.
Human Resources Director Mary Krager shared Aptar’s investment in their people and R&D.
ODYNE: Joe Dalum, President and CEO, proudly displayed the company’s new 30’ hybrid
lift truck (on loan from the City of Milwaukee’s Department of Public Works for the Annual
Meeting) – one of many models being ordered and fueling growth for this global company.
Harken, Inc.: CEO Peter Harken and COO Bill Goggins showed the new composites that
keep their sailboats and iceboats “World-Cup quality” and contributed to building a new,
larger facility.
Save the Date!
2013 WCEDC Celebrating
Innovation in Waukesha County
May 1, 2013
Watch for details,
coming soon!
Illumatek, LLC: entrepreneur John Miller’s LED-acrylic technology applied to motorcycle
windshields is making motorcycling safer.
City of Oconomowoc & Utility: Bob Duffy, the City’s economic development director,
and Dennis Bednarski, Utilities Operations Manager, showed a new NEV in use at the
Utility. This is just one way that city is focusing on sustainable, affordable energy, making
Oconomowoc a good place to do business.
TapCo: CEO Rick Bergholz shared how their LED-lit signage and other technologies
revolutionized traffic safety, especially during road construction and prompted
their growth.
Woodway: considered the best treadmills in the world, Eric Weber, director of sales and
marketing, demonstrated their innovative new models, including one that powers laptops
and DVD players while exercising.
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With small business such a vital part of economic health, WCEDC has been working in partnership
with the Community Chambers of Waukesha County (CCWC) and their members. The Community
Chambers of Waukesha County is a group of Chamber professionals committed to partnering on
business growth and job creation. The group is comprised of leaders of the Brookfield, Delafield,
Mukwonago, Muskego, Hartland, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Sussex and Butler Chambers.
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E conomic D evelopment is a C ontact S po r t
In times of news sound bites and political races, the phrase “economic development” is being
tossed around far too casually. With WCEDC chartered to lead economic development, and as the
quarterback of this effort, let me set the record straight.
Economic development is growing jobs, companies and investment that build capacity in
our businesses.
And we need every business organization, board of directors, employee, citizen, elected official and
educator we can find blocking and tackling to win the game. Can WCEDC – alone – take every lead
across the goal line? Hell no! We need a team of trusted partners in all kinds of positions to score:
Real estate firms with buildings and land, financial institutions and public incentive programs with
money, workforce and training organizations ‘tackling’ the talent needs, educational institutions
with classes for tomorrow’s technical and leadership skills, innovation resources such as WCTC’s
Small Business Center and the regional BizStarts, chambers aligning for advocacy, leadership
development, networking, etc.
We’ve received leads on prospective and expanding businesses from dozens of sources, chambers
of commerce, fraternal organizations, trade associations, attendees at world-famous Bill Mitchell
PowerPoint sessions, M7, bankers, lawyers, and even one from a blogger in Australia!
Economic development as a contact sport requires all these contacts and more.
Take a look at the Alto-Shaam story on page 4 and see six partners working together to help a
great Waukesha County anchor business make an $8 million investment and create 110 new jobs –
A TOUCHDOWN FOR THE TEAM!
Bill Mitchell,
W C E D C O ffice r s & D i r ecto r s
2011 – 2012 WCEDC Officers:
WCEDC Board Vice President
Barbara Prindiville
Waukesha County Technical College
WCEDC Treasurer
Michael Silverman*
CFO Solutions of Wisconsin
Gregory Bauer
M&I, A part of BMO Financial Group
Brittany Darga*
GE Healthcare
Michael Simpson
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, S.C.
Paul Decker
Waukesha County Board Chairperson
Paul Oswald
Environmental Systems, Inc.
Dan Vrakas
Waukesha County Executive
Franc Fennessy
American Transmission Company
Cate Rahmlow
Wisconsin Economic Development
Corporation
Michael Ward
US Bank - Business Banking
WCEDC Board President
Richard Smith
R.A. Smith National, Inc.
2011 – 2012 WCEDC Directors:
Jennifer Hansen
Anderson Seal, Inc.
Robb Risch
Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
Daniel Habeck
Cramer Multhauf & Hammes LLP
William Hegeman
SPX Transformer Solutions
Shajan John
Mahattil International LLC
Karl Robe
Karl James & Company LLC
Lori Rolfson
We Energies
Fritz Ruf
Waukesha County Supervisor
Bill Wigchers
Zilber Property Group SM
Daryl Zigan
United Press & Graphics, Inc.
Executive Director/COO:
Bill Mitchell
Waukesha County Economic
Development Corporation
Pending 2012 election
*
Executive Director / COO
Revolving Loan F und C ommittee
M eet Paul D ecke r , A N ew P ublic Pa r tne r At W o r k
on E conomic G r owth in Waukesha C ount y
Paul L. Decker
Waukesha County
Board Chair
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Paul Decker became the new Waukesha County
Board Chairman in spring of 2012. Decker’s
business background gives him a unique
perspective to look at County services and
County partners to improve ROI (return on
investment), improve efficiencies, and to push
forward using technology.
“We want prospective and expanding businesses
to receive the best possible service from
Waukesha County as they make business
decisions that will grow their organizations in our
area. This growth allows the County to provide
the resources and infrastructure needed for
continued healthy economic development.
As a business consultant, founder of a small
business in Hartland, author and instructor at
WCTC’s Small Business Center, he brings skills
that frame his understanding of business needs
and why economic development is important
to growing the tax base in the County.
A leading resource is the WCEDC, which provides
an excellent connection point to the varied
resources, services, educational and community
partners available that are vital to long-term
success. This commitment to partnering
enhances the WCEDC’s ability to serve Waukesha
County current and future businesses who want
to grow in our area.”
His work with Rotary International
demonstrates his commitment to communities
and service. The County Board Chairperson
serves on WCEDC’s Board of Directors, and we
welcome him to his new role and our publicprivate partnership.
– Paul L. Decker
Chairman Waukesha County
Board of Supervisors
WCEDC administers a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) under contract to Waukesha County. The RLF Committee (consisting of
leaders from finance, law, small business) reviews loan applications from businesses seeking low-interest ‘gap’ financing for
equipment & facilities. The program targets projects that add capacity, create jobs and investment in the County. WCEDC
recognizes the partnership with Waukesha County Community Block Grant Board.
Committee Chair:
Gregory Bauer
M&I, A part of BMO Financial Group
The current RLF portfolio includes
16 loans totaling $3.5 million that
support over $31 million of small
business projects and are projected
to create 121 jobs.
Committee:
Kevin Bublitz
Schott, Bublitz & Engel
Bret Roge
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Carolyn Engel
Business Lending Partners
Mike Judson
Judson & Associates
Fred Sitzberger
Sitzberger Wildmann & Company
Brian Gottschalk
Business Lending Partners
Curt Otto
The Benefit Companies
Daryl Zigan
United Press & Graphics, Inc.
Bill Mitchell
Waukesha County Economic
Development Corporation
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W C E D C P ublic Pa r tne r s At W o r k on E conomic D evelopment
As you’ve seen in our case studies on financing and expansion in this issue, when public and private entities come together to
work for the good of everyone, much can be accomplished. WCEDC is extremely proud of its 22 years as a public-private partnership.
We honor and thank our public partners:
W C E D C S ponso r s
WCEDC extends thanks to the following companies and organizations who recognized that WCEDC is growing jobs,
increasing investment and retention, and want to ensure that the work continues for the benefit of all businesses in
Waukesha County and the region.
Founding Sponsors
Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG)
Waukesha County
In 1990, Waukesha County
government and Waukesha
County Technical College
leadership recognized the need
to underwrite an independent
economic development
organization to work with
prospective and expanding
businesses to select the County
as the best place to grow.
This visionary approach is
an excellent example of the
County’s motto, “Leading
the Way.”
Waukesha County
Waukesha County Technical College
(WCTC)
Generac
Town Bank
Weldall
Quad/Graphics
Walmart
Wisconsin Business Development
The Anderson Group
Golden Guernsey Dairy
R.A. Smith National
ATC
InPro Corporation
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.
Aurora Health Care
Johnson Bank
Baker Tilly Investment Advisors
Kohl’s
The Schroeder Group, S.C.,
Attorneys at Law
CG Schmidt
MRA
US Bancorp Foundation
ESI
Oconomowoc Utilities
Wisconsin Energy Foundation
GE Healthcare
Pabst Farms
Woodman’s Markets
Are you tired of hearing bad news about our economy?
Giles Engineering Associates
Payne & Dolan
Zilber Property Group
Your support of the work of the Waukesha County Economic Development Corporation will result in new
jobs, investment and opportunities for your business and the community. For 22 years, we have grown
Waukesha County in our role as a catalyst for business success and job growth – our current economic
impact index shows WCEDC’s recent work resulted in $115.9 million total investment in the County and
711 total jobs created. You will continue to see these numbers climb in 2012, and, as an investor, you will
know that you are an important part of that impact.
Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
Plunkett Raysich Architects
Charleston | Orwig
InvestorsBank
SF Analytical Laboratories
Please select your level of support:
City of Oconomowoc
Logical Green Solutions
Sitzberger Widmann & Co., S.C.
Continental Properties
Maverick Innovation Lab
The Benefit Companies, Inc.
Waukesha County
Technical College (WCTC)
Economic growth is accelerated
with an educated and trained
workforce, and WCTC plays that
critical role. WCEDC’s research
shows that talent is a focus of
more than 90% of its business
conversations. The premier
technical college in Wisconsin
makes WCEDC’s public-private
partnership effective as a
solution to meeting long-term
business needs.
CDBG
Waukesha County contracts
with WCEDC to administer and
promote Waukesha County’s
Revolving Loan Fund Program
(RLF). The RLF program offers
businesses loans from $25,000
up to $200,000
at a low, fixed
interest rate by partnering with
banks to fund projects that add
capacity and jobs to growing
businesses. We appreciate
CDBG’s guidance and periodic
additional funding for loans that
make job creation possible for
growing the business base of
Waukesha County.
Workforce Development
Center
The Workforce Development
Center, a national model
for employment resources,
was created in response to
community needs. It is a lifelong
resource to all job seekers,
both present and future, and
a means to help businesses
meet their short- and long-term
workforce development needs.
WCEDC is proud to be one of
eight partners working together
for “one stop” services to
businesses and job seekers.
B ecome a Pa r tne r At W o r k in G r owing
O u r E conom y
$115.9
711
Million Total Investment
Total Jobs
Legacy Sponsorships
Annual Investors
Challenge Sponsor
Kern Family Foundation
Legacy Champions
SPX Transformer Solutions
Legacy Strategic
Investors, Event Sponsors and Donors
• Challenge - $50,000
• Tier I – 70 or more employees - $3,000 investment
DUECO
MSI General Corporation
Trico Corporation
• Champions - $25,000 to $49,999
• Tier II – 50-69 employees - $2,000 investment
First Business Bank
NAI MLG Commercial
Weiss Berzowski Brady LLP
• Strategic - $5,000 to $24,999
• Tier III – Up to 49 employees - $1,000 investment
Health Insurance Associates
North Shore Bank
Heath Corporation
Park Bank
Wisconsin Economic
Development Corporation
To join those listed on the next page and become a Legacy Sponsor or an Annual Investor,
contact Vicki Chappell at WCEDC, 262-695-7901.
WCEDC is a private, 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation. All contributions are deductible to the extent allowable by law.
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10
892 Main Street, Suite D
Pewaukee, WI 53072
Phone: 262-695-7900
www.waukeshacountyedc.org
10%
Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX
0912
10% TOTAL RECOVERED FIBER. ALL POST-CONSUMER