Two Northeast Wisconsin manufacturers took home top honors at the 37th annual Wisconsin Manufacturers of the Year Awards, presented Feb. 19 at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee by Baker Tilly, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, and Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC).
This year’s eight overall winners were selected from a field of more than 40 finalists representing Wisconsin’s manufacturing sector. Finalists were announced earlier this year.
De Pere-based Robinson, Inc. took home Manufacturer of the Year honors as a Grand recipient in the “large” category (500-999 employees), and Spark Ops Metalworks of Fond du Lac won the spotlight award for Excellence in Product & Process Innovation. A total of 11 New North-based firms were finalists across the eight categories.
“The finalists and winners of the MOTY Awards reflect the extraordinary dedication and innovation that define Wisconsin manufacturing,” said Kurt R. Bauer, President/CEO of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. “These companies not only produce world‑class products but also create high‑quality jobs and strengthen local communities across the state.”
It was Robinson’s second time earning a Grand award at the event. In accepting the award, Robinson President Sam Thomas credited the 950 employees at five facilities for their dedication to continued innovation and craftsmanship. The company has experienced significant continued growth. In 2023, Robinson became an ESOP. In December, the company announced a major expansion into Altoona, Iowa.
“We recently celebrated 50 years in business,” Thomas said, “but in the last decade we have transformed the company from a hybrid job-shop model to an integrated contract manufacturer that provides skilled services to deliver a fully integrated product to our customers.”
37th Annual Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Grand Award Recipients:
- Mega: Brakebush Brothers Inc. – Westfield
- Large: Robinson, Inc. – De Pere
- Medium: E.K. Machine Co., Inc. – Fall River
- Small: Reader Precision Solutions, Inc. – Elkhorn
Spotlight Award Winners:
- Business Resilience & Growth: Custom Fabricating & Repair, Inc. – Marshfield
- Community Impact & Investment: Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC – Arcadia
- Excellence in Product & Process Innovation: Spark Ops Metalworks LLC – Fond du Lac
- Commitment to Workforce: Kapco Inc. – Grafton
