Wisconsin manufacturers invited to supply chain workshops

MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC),
in collaboration with Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing
& Productivity, Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and the state’s regional economic
development organizations is hosting five informational workshops throughout the state on supply
chain readiness.

The Supplier Readiness Series will include information to help manufacturers respond to industrial
innovation trends that are impacting the industry, including updates to statewide resources
designed to help improve productivity, prepare for Industry 4.0 and establish a path for global
competitiveness.

The workshops will also provide small- to medium-size manufacturers with details on how to become part of the supply chain for the Foxconn Technology Group as well as other major companies. A representative from Foxconn will attend each session to provide participants with an introduction to the vendor readiness process the company will follow as it engages with potential suppliers.

For immediate release
Contact: Mark Maley
608.210.6706

The locations and dates for the free workshops are:

• Wednesday, Sept. 19: Waukesha County Technical College, Business Building (B), Room
  B115/B117, 800 Main St., Pewaukee. Registration from 1 to 1:30 p.m.; the session will take placefrom 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 20: University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Ullsvik Hall, 30 S. Hickory St., Platteville.
  Registration from 8 to 8:30 a.m.; the session will take place from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Monday, Sept. 24: Gateway Technical College, SC Johnson iMet Center, 2320 Renaissance
  Blvd., Sturtevant. Registration from 8 to 8:30 a.m.; the session will take place from 8:30 to 11:30
  a.m.
  
• Tuesday, Sept. 25: Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (Room SC130), 2740 W. Mason St.,
  Green bay. Registration from 1 to 1:30 p.m.; the session will take place from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
  Wednesday, Sept. 26: Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce office, 501 E. Washington Ave.,
  Madison. Registration from 8 to 8:30 a.m.; the session will take place from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

An additional workshop will be scheduled in the Superior area and details will be announced soon.

The informational sessions are free, but advanced registration is required. To register, visit
wisconnvalley.wi.gov.

All businesses are also encouraged to register with Wisconsin Supply Chain Marketplace directory, which provides companies with a convenient way to find Wisconsin suppliers in a simple to use system that delivers results and supplier solutions.

Companies that create profiles on wisupplychainmarketplace.com will receive timely communication when Foxconn and other companies are posting requests for proposals to source suppliers for specific projects. The online tool is free of charge, and all Wisconsin businesses are eligible to create a profile.

Foxconn’s advanced manufacturing campus in Mount Pleasant is expected to create up to 13,000 jobs, as well as thousands of construction jobs. Once the Wisconn Valley Science & Technology Park is fully operational, Foxconn is expected to make $4.26 billion in supplier purchases annually, with roughly one-third being sourced from Wisconsin. The project is expected to have at least a $7 billion annual economic impact on the state and generate between $116 and $157 million in state tax revenue annually once fully operational.

About the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing and maximizing opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses, communities and people to thrive in a globally competitive environment. Working with more than 600 regional and local partners, WEDC develops and delivers solutions representative of a highly responsive and coordinated economic development network. Visit wedc.org or follow WEDC on Twitter @WEDCNews to learn more.