There is a decided focus on technology in this month’s issue of IOM. Not only are we feeling its powerful effects every day, at home and at work, but we’re also uncovering stories of how the state of Wisconsin is, and sometimes isn’t, embracing its latest and greatest.
First, the good side of the technology coin. Amelia Compton Wolff’s March cover story celebrates a major win for our state: its designation as a Biohealth Tech Hub by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. This award, one of just 31 selected from 172 applications, positions our state and its manufacturers at the center of an important and growing industry that has impacts up and down the supply chain. Turn to page 10 to read more, and be sure to tune in to the NEW Manufacturing Insights podcast on March 21 for an even deeper dive into the story with Amelia and BioForward Wisconsin’s Lisa Johnson, who has been spearheading this impressive, ongoing effort.
On page 16, on the other hand, you’ll find a call for Wisconsin to pick up the pace on a key technology that’s affecting manufacturers: blockchain. By Jan. 20, 2026, a number of our nation’s food manufacturers, including cheesemakers, will be held to a new recordkeeping standard by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration — one that likely requires the implementation of blockchain technology. Meanwhile, there are still plenty of people who don’t even know what blockchain is. A small group of technology advocates are sounding the alarm in our region; learn more from them in this month’s technology feature.
Of course, there’s also the issue of how technology affects the human workforce, and that’s one of the topics the NEW Manufacturing Alliance’s new safety task force will be exploring as it begins its important work in 2024. I attended the task force’s second-ever meeting and was very impressed, particularly by the task force co-chairs, Mark Callow and Mike Winkler of Samuel Pressure Vessel Group. Mark and Mike outline their motivations for starting the task force, their takeaways from the group’s initial meetings and their vision for the future starting on page 18.
On another note, Insight Publications has been growing. Already this year, we’ve played host to a brand-new event — Fastest Growing Companies in the New North, which was held Feb. 29 at Lambeau Field. In December, we hosted the first-ever CFO of the Year Awards. Insight’s 40 Under 40 Awards are coming back in May for the second year, and we’ve recently extended the deadline for manufacturers to participate in yet another new awards program that’s specific to the manufacturing industry: Wisconsin’s Best Places to Work in Manufacturing.
Best Places to Work is your opportunity to receive not only a full assessment of your manufacturing workplace benefits and culture, but also how those stack up against others in our state. Talent attraction and retention continue to be top issues for manufacturers everywhere, so becoming an employer of choice just might start with signing up for the free assessment. And if your company rises to the top, there’s no better advertisement to prospective employees. Aside from the companies that receive awards, this survey is completely confidential. I hope you’ll take a moment to sign up, and to encourage your workforce to take time to give their feedback to our partners at Workforce Research Group. The new deadline to sign up is May 31 at insightonbusiness.com/bptw.
Thanks, as always, for reading.
