Lakeside Foods acquires Oregon company, closes Wisconsin plant
Family-owned Lakeside Foods, a Manitowoc-based company that manufactures canned and frozen vegetables, canned meat, smoked sausage and hot dogs, canned dry beans, frozen desserts, appetizers and canned pet food, has acquired Oregon‑based frozen vegetable processor Smith Foods. Lakeside President and CEO Joe Yanda says the acquisition will allow the company to grow its frozen vegetable business and reach new West Coast customers.
As part of the merger, Lakeside will continue production at two former Smith facilities in Oregon and close one of its 14 existing production facilities: the Manitowoc plant on Jay Street.
“This decision, which we did not make lightly, best supports our long-term strategic growth plan,” Yanda said. “Our managers have worked to support affected employees by finding them opportunities at other Lakeside Foods locations. We remain committed to Manitowoc as our home and corporate headquarters, with four remaining production, warehouse and office locations.”
Oshkosh Corp appoints new CFO
Oshkosh Corporation announced the appointment of Matthew Field as chief financial officer. Field succeeds Michael Pack, who transitioned to president of the company’s vocational segment in 2024. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in the automotive and aerospace sectors, Field most recently served as CFO of Joby Aviation, where he was instrumental in guiding the company through its public listing in 2021, establishing Joby as a leader in electric vertical take-off and landing technology. Prior to Joby, Field spent more than two decades at Ford Motor Company, including as CFO of Ford North America, Ford’s largest division, representing approximately $100 billion in annual revenue.
“Oshkosh is an industry leader with cutting-edge products and a best‑in‑class operating model,” Field said. “I am excited to be a part of the strong Oshkosh culture and to leverage my skills and experience to continue to grow the business, expand margins and deliver long-term value for our customers and shareholders.”
Manitowoc Co. to pay $42M fine for self-reported possible violations
Crane manufacturer The Manitowoc Company, Inc., the 123-year-old company now headquartered in Milwaukee, will pay $42.6 million as part of a consent decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice regarding alleged violations of the Transition Program for Equipment Manufacturers (TPEM), a program under the U.S. Clean Air Act. The company announced in January 2022 that an internal investigation indicated it may not have met all requirements of the TPEM program for a portion of engines mounted on Manitowoc mobile cranes sold in the U.S. between 2014 and 2017.
Completion of the terms in the consent decree settles this matter and releases the company from civil claims under the Clean Air Act related to the company’s participation in the TPEM program. TPEM was created to allow manufacturers time to adapt to new EPA engine emission standards over a period of time as long as they meet production limits, notification and reporting requirements. Manitowoc has booked a financial reserve for the settlement of this matter.
Sargento CEO named chair of Road America
Road America has selected Louie Gentine, chairman and CEO of Plymouth-based Sargento Foods, Inc., as chairman of its board following the resignation of Ron Pace. Gentine, a longtime supporter of and board member for Road America, officially assumed the role Jan. 1. He also serves on the boards of the International Dairy Foods Association and Lakeside Foods.
“I am honored to take on this new role and continue the incredible legacy of leadership at Road America,” Gentine said. “Ron has set an extraordinary example, and I look forward to building upon the strong foundation he has established while working alongside the board to shape an exciting future for this iconic venue.”
Seven New North manufacturers honored as Green Masters
A total of 21 businesses, including seven Northeast Wisconsin manufacturers, were recognized as Green Masters at the 2024 Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council’s Annual Conference in November. Among the honorees were Green Bay Packaging, Krueger International (KI), Masters Gallery Foods, Mercury Marine, New Leaf Paper, Oshkosh Corporation and Sadoff Iron and Metal Co. Green Master status signifies that organizations have identified and are effectively managing their material sustainability issues and performance related to those issues, take a comprehensive approach to sustainability, and are actively leading the transformation to a more sustainable society, according to WSBC Managing Director Jessy Servi Ortiz.
“The Green Masters Program is a comprehensive tool that helps businesses define, prioritize, measure and manage their sustainability performance, integrating sustainable practices into their core operations. Aligned with internationally recognized standards, it drives continuous improvement and sustainable success,” Servi Ortiz said. “For over 15 years, the program has helped companies build credible and impactful sustainability initiatives, and we are proud to see companies like these paving the way for a more sustainable future in Wisconsin.”
Six New North manufacturers recognized as vet ready
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development announced the 2024 winners of its Vets Ready Employer Initiative, which encourages employers to build support systems within their workplaces, hire and retain more veterans, and connect to veterans and their families in the community. A record 22 Wisconsin employers of all sizes were honored in 2024, with more than half of them located in the New North region — including manufacturers Kimberly-Clark, Oshkosh Corporation, Menasha Corporation, Old Wisconsin Sausage Co., Waupaca Foundry and Worthington Cylinders.
“Our nation’s veterans have given so much in service to our country and often face special challenges when they return home, including finding family-supporting employment,” DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek said. “Veterans bring invaluable experience to the workplace, and I commend these Vets Ready employers for employing and engaging veterans. This distinction elevates the work of these employers and gives them the competitive edge in recruiting and retaining veterans.”
Johnsonville earns ‘best new product’ award
Convenience Store News named Johnsonville’s Chipotle Cheddar Sausage, which combines chipotle seasoning with Wisconsin cheddar, as a “2024 Best New Product” in the “foodservice-lunch” category. The Best New Products program recognizes marketers that introduce the most innovative, high-quality products into the c-store channel that meet consumers’ evolving needs. Judging was supervised by Past Times Marketing, a New York-based consumer research and product testing firm. Contest entries were rated and awarded points by consumers based on taste, value, convenience, healthfulness, ingredients, preparation requirements, appearance and packaging.
Cruisers Yachts expands dealership with MarineMax
Cruisers Yachts has partnered with MarineMax to be its authorized dealer for several regions in the southern United States. MarineMax will represent Cruisers Yachts in 11 locations in the Florida Panhandle, West Florida, Eastern Texas and Alabama. MarineMax will offer Cruisers Yachts models ranging from 34-60 feet, starting with the GLS series, Cantius lineup and the newly released 57 FLY.
“We are excited to enhance our market presence and expand our dealership locations through our partnership with MarineMax,” Vice President of Sales Dan Zenz said. “These key regions are vital to delivering unmatched service and support for our valued customers, and we look forward to welcoming new boating enthusiasts in these communities to the Cruisers Yachts family.”
40 Under 40 nominations due Feb. 14
Nominations are open for Insight Publications’ third 40 Under 40 Awards, which will recognize the professional achievements and community involvement of young professionals in Northeast Wisconsin. To qualify for consideration, candidates must be under the age of 40 as of May 30, 2025 and live or work in one of the 18 counties of the New North region (Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Sheboygan, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago).
A committee of local professionals and past honorees will select the 40 young professionals to be celebrated at an awards ceremony on May 29 at the Oneida Casino Hotel in Green Bay. Honorees also will be featured in the June 2025 issue of Insight on Business. Nominations, including self nominations, are being accepted now through Feb. 14 at insightonbusiness.com/40u40.
Appleton to host 5P Packaging Showcase Feb. 25-26
The Fox Cities Exhibition Center in Appleton will host the 5P Showcase Expo, a two-day event spotlighting the future of packaging. Co-hosted by the Green Bay Innovation Group and the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association, the expo will highlight cutting-edge advancements in sustainable packaging, food science and supply chain efficiency. Keynote speaker Michael Manley, head of implementation and transparency at Amazon, will share insights on integrating advanced technologies to enhance supply chain visibility and efficiency. The expo runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Feb. 25-26, followed by a networking session. Tickets and more information are available at greenbayinnovationgroup.com/events.
Envision Greater Green Bay’s future Feb. 28
Global futurist Jonathan Brill, who recently appeared on an episode of the NEW Manufacturing Insights podcast with NEWMA’s Ann Franz and IOM’s Kate Bruns, will be the keynote speaker at Envision Greater Green Bay’s 2025 World Futures Day, Feb. 28 from 7:30 a.m.-noon at the Oneida Conference Center in Green Bay. The event is designed to delve into the principles of strategic foresight and discuss how they can be applied to the future of the Greater Green Bay area. Registration and more information is available online at envisionggb.org/world-futures-day-february-28-2025/.
Manufacturing Matters! is April 9
WMEP Manufacturing Solutions will present its annual manufacturing conference April 9 from 8 a.m.-4:45 p.m. at the Brookfield Conference Center in Brookfield. This year’s conference theme is “Limitless Performance,” and the morning keynote speaker will be Dan Thurmon, founder and president of Motivation Works, Inc. and author of “Positive Chaos.” Thurmon will share insights on how to embrace change and perform at your peak in today’s unpredictable landscape. Learn more about this year’s conference and register online at wmep.org/events/manufacturing-matters/.
