Supply Chain Marketplace provides new way to showcase state businesses

EAU CLAIRE – Governor Scott Walker and WEDC announced today that Wisconsin companies looking for potential business opportunities with Foxconn can use Supply Chain Marketplace, a quick and easy online tool, to connect with the electronics manufacturer, which is making a historic investment in Wisconsin.

“Not only is Foxconn bringing 13,000 jobs to Wisconsin, the company also plans to purchase more than $5 billion from Wisconsin companies during the construction phase of the project as well as an additional $1.4 billion from the state annually once the campus is operational,” Governor Walker said. “Foxconn’s transformational investment will provide great opportunities for companies in every region of the state, and the online Supply Chain Marketplace will make it easier for those businesses to connect with Foxconn.”

The Supply Chain Marketplace allows companies to find new customers and reach new markets by highlighting their capabilities and by making connections. The online tool is free of charge, and all Wisconsin businesses are eligible to create a profile at www.wisupplychainmarketplace.com.

Once a company creates a profile, it will be added to the appropriate directories by clicking a box. In addition to directories for specific industries, there is a new supply-chain directory tailored specifically to Foxconn.

Governor Walker highlighted the statewide directory during a stop today at the Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, where the Governor and local officials demonstrated the online tool and helped several businesses create Marketplace profiles on the spot.

“Ever since Foxconn announced it was investing in Wisconsin, our administration has heard from numerous businesses throughout the state interested in learning more about how to become a supplier or contractor for the company,” Governor Walker added. “Foxconn estimates it will purchase goods and services from at least 150 state companies. This ‘one-stop-shop’ will provide Wisconsin companies with an easy way to make sure they are on Foxconn’s radar.”

The Supply Chain Marketplace is also a way to connect with companies like Haribo and Generac, which have both recently announced multimillion-dollar expansions in Wisconsin.

It is important for participating companies to provide a complete picture of its capabilities to ensure receipt of the appropriate opportunities. Company listings may be searched via keywords, certifications, ownership, industry-specific categories, and more. Nearly 30 industry categories currently exist within the Supply Chain Marketplace, and more will be added, as needed. So far, more than 430 companies have created profiles.

The Supply Chain Marketplace has been available on a regional basis since 2015 and was created by New North Inc., an economic development organization in northeastern Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) provided a grant to New North on behalf of the state’s nine regional economic development entities –Prosperity Southwest, Centergy, Grow North, New North, Visions Northwest, 7 Rivers Alliance, Momentum West, Milwaukee 7 and the Madison Regional Economic Partnership – to build a supply-chain marketplace platform statewide. The platform was recently updated to accommodate the business community’s interest in engaging with Foxconn.

“We see the Supply Chain Marketplace as a destination where companies can go to take concrete steps to get in line for Foxconn,” said Jerry Murphy, Executive Director of New North, Inc. “We believe that the Supply Chain Marketplace will serve as a primary ‘Wisconsin’ resource tool for Foxconn to use, now and in the future.”

For more information on the Supply Chain Marketplace, visit www.wisupplychainmarketplace.com.