Businesses honored in Milwaukee for developing innovative products to help drive state’s economy

MADISON, WI. May 19, 2016–Nine companies have been named the recipients of the Governor’s New Product Award, which recognizes Wisconsin’s leading manufacturers who have contributed to the state’s economic growth through the development, manufacturing and marketing of new and innovative products.

“Innovations we’re seeing from Wisconsin companies of all sizes in all industries is a main reason the state’s economy continues to grow,” said Governor Scott Walker. “I am proud to recognize these inventive products that keep the state’s economy moving.”

The Governor’s New Product Awards, which are sponsored by the Wisconsin Society of Professional Engineers (WSPE), recognize the benefits that come from research and engineering of new products. They also focus on rapidly emerging technologies, recognize the contribution of engineers in new product development and encourage the pursuit of science and engineering careers.

Eligible entries include any new product, machine, process or material that has been developed in Wisconsin, provided it was first placed on the market between 2010 and 2014. Award categories include small, medium, large and mega, measured by employment.

The awards were presented at the 39th annual Governor’s New Product Awards Banquet on the evening of May 18, 2016, at Milwaukee School of Engineering University’s Todd Wehr Conference Center in Milwaukee.

The winners are:

Best of State Winners

Small Company Category (50 or fewer employees)
First place: Energy Bank Inc., Manitowoc. Product: Model T
Second place: E-Z Eat Enterprises LLC, Eagle River. Product: E-Z Eat
Third place: Manninen Innovations LLC, Fond du Lac. Product: Choropoly

Medium Company Category (51 to 200 employees)
First Place: Standard Imaging Inc., Middleton. Product: Exradin A26 Ion Chamber
Second place: Pflow Industries Inc., Milwaukee. Product: Telescope Mirror Lift System

Large Company Category (201 to 9,999 employees)
First place: The Solberg Company, Green Bay. Product: RE-HEALING Firefighting Foam

Mega Company Category (10,000 or more employees)
First place: Johnson Controls, Milwaukee. Product: Distributed Energy Storage
Second place: Kohler Co., Kohler. Product: Prolific Kitchen Sink with Accessories
Third place: Kohler Co., Kohler. Product: Nightlight Toilet Seat

Four first-place Best of State winners will be acknowledged by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) in its upcoming publications.

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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 economy. 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 www.inwisconsin.com or follow WEDC on Twitter @_InWisconsin to learn more.