In a state known as a manufacturing power player, it makes sense Wisconsin has a large number of registered trucking companies — roughly 57,000 to be exact, says Neal Kedzie, president of the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association, who explains that a natural extension of making stuff is having the ability to move it.
“The entire economy runs on trucks,” he says. “In Wisconsin, over 90% of all manufactured goods are moved by a truck. Anyone who’s in the business is key to making our economy run.”
By Kedzie’s logic, trucking and logistics companies like FLASH Family of Companies in Green Lake, featured on the cover of this issue, are the backbone of industry in the state. Second-generation FLASH President Mandi Hinrichs is leading the trucking and logistics company into an era of growth, particularly as it prepares to open a new $2.5 million Ripon facility this fall that will provide production, packaging and warehousing. Turn to page 24 to learn more.
October is always an exciting time at Insight as we prepare to celebrate Manufacturing Month with the state’s largest one-day manufacturing event Oct. 25 at Resch Expo in Green Bay. (Register for the Manufacturing First Expo & Conference at manufacturingfirst.com.)
This year is especially exciting as Insight on Manufacturing and the NEW Manufacturing Alliance prepare for the Oct. 5 launch of NEW Manufacturing Insights, a podcast highlighting issues and opportunities for manufacturers in Northeast Wisconsin. For more details on the NEW Manufacturing Insights podcast, turn to page 60.
But that’s not the only place you can hear Insight over the airwaves. Last month we kicked off a new monthly collaboration with WHBY’s Focus Fox Valley, hosted by Hayley Tenpas. Focus Fox Valley airs weekdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with community-minded conversations that emphasize the people and organizations that help the area thrive — bringing the pages of Insight to life on this show is a perfect partnership.
Next up, we will be chatting with Hayley Oct. 16 over the noon hour, giving a behind-the-scenes look at the October issue and taking a deeper dive into some of the features this month. Tune in to Focus Fox Valley the third Monday of every month for commentary from the Insight team, as well as special guests including the business owners, entrepreneurs and experts featured in the magazine.
Happy reading (and listening)!
