Sessions for small and midsize businesses to focus on productivity, vendor readiness 

MADISON, WI. OCT. 9, 2018 – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), in collaboration with Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing & Productivity and the University of Wisconsin-Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center and the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, are hosting two informational workshops this month on supply chain readiness.

The workshops in Superior and Milwaukee 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 sessions will also provide small and midsize manufacturers with details on how to become part of the supply chain for the Foxconn Technology Group as well as other major companies. Representatives from Foxconn will provide participants with an introduction to the vendor readiness process the company will follow as it engages with potential suppliers.

The Superior workshop will take place on Friday, Oct. 19, at the Conference Center at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, 600 N. 21st St. Registration will take place from 1 to 1:30 p.m.; the session will run from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

The Milwaukee workshop will be held Monday, Oct. 29 at the WE Energies Public Service Building at 231 W. Michigan St. Registration will take place from 1 to 1:30 p.m.; the session will run from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The sessions are free, but space is limited and advance registration is required. To register, visit wisconnvalley.wi.gov.

The workshops are part of the Supplier Readiness Series that WEDC is hosting statewide. So far, more than 400 businesses have participated in five workshops.

All businesses are also encouraged to register with the 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 post 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 million and $157 million in state tax revenue annually once fully operational.