Fall 2012 - Kenosha Area Business Alliance

Quarterly Newsletter of the Kenosha Area Business Alliance(KABA) | Fall 2012
KABA, Chamber Announce 2012 Business
Excellence Award Winners
KABA, in collaboration with the Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce, will recognize seven local
companies and one individual for their success on Thursday, November 14 at the 2012 Kenosha County
Business Excellence Awards, to be held at the Student Center Ballroom at the University of WisconsinParkside. 2012 marks the 12th year KABA and the Kenosha Chamber have collaborated to present the
Kenosha County Business Excellence awards program.
KABA is the lead business
organization that drives economic
development throughout Kenosha
County and supports and provides
services to its members and the
community, helping to ensure
growth, a robust economy, and a
positive business climate for the
Kenosha Area.
Allied Plastics, Inc. was selected as the 2012 Business of the Year.
Founded in 1995, Allied Plastics (pictured right) is a full-service custom thermoforming manufacturer
specializing in vacuum-forming, twin-sheeting and pressure-forming medium to heavy gauge plastic
sheets. Allied Plastics currently operates a 100,000 SF engineering and manufacturing facility in Twin Lakes,
Wisconsin and maintains sales offices throughout the United States.
Tenuta’s Delicatessen is the 2012 Small Business of the Year.
Italian immigrant John N. Tenuta and his wife Lydia opened Tenuta’s Delicatessen on April 1, 1950. At that
time the small corner store was just a bit larger than a two-car garage.
Tenuta’s has expanded and remolded over the years and today has an expansive selection of specialty
merchandise and gourmet items. It truly is a Kenosha institution and its impact goes beyond just groceries.
Jim Kettinger, President, CEO & Owner of Engendren Corporation (f/k/a IEA, Inc.), was tapped as 2012
Entrepreneur of the Year.
Jim Kettinger became President & CEO of IEA, Inc. in 2007 after working with the company as a consultant
for several years. The company has been providing cooling solutions for manufacturers and end users of
gas and diesel generators for more than 25 years. Jim purchased the company from the George & Sue
Newell in May of this year.
Recipients of the Fast Five recognition in 2012 are Albany-Chicago Company, LLC; Bio Fab Technologies,
Inc.; Kitchen Cubes, LLC; Mikrotech, LLC; Specialized Accounting Services, LLC.
The panel of judges who select award recipients include winners from past years, a representative from
BizTimes Milwaukee, as well as representatives from the business school programs at UW-Parkside and
Carthage College.
Allied Plastics, Inc.
2012 Business of the Year
Upcoming events...
>October 16th: Annual Economic
Forum, presented by Chase @
the Club at Strawberry Creek
>November 7th: Y-Link
Leadership Forum w/ Aleta
Norris –Venue TBD
>November 14th: 2012 Business
Excellence Awards @ UWParkside Student Center Ballroom
Unexpected Kenosha (formerly Directions) is published
quarterly by the Kenosha Area Business Alliance, Inc. (KABA).
Archives can be found on its web site: http://www.kaba.org/
kaba/news/newsletter_archives.asp.
Kenosha Area Business Alliance (KABA)
5500 Sixth Avenue, Suite 200, Kenosha, WI 53140
262.605.1100 | info@kaba.org | www.kaba.org
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From the President
Beating the Drum for Downtown!
Approximately six months ago, this column shared KABA’s intent to work with the City of
Kenosha to develop an updated investment strategy for Downtown Kenosha. Since that time
and throughout the planning process that has ensued, we have heard a number of opinions
expressed about downtown, its importance to the community, and what should be done to
improve it.
Welcome
new KABA
members!
ARK APARTMENTS, LLC
Offers affordable residential apartments
throughout the Kenosha Area.
ISTI, INC.
Provides ISO training &
implementation courses that can be
integrated into a company’s Quality
Management System, preparing it for
ISO registration.
GODFREY & KAHN, S.C.
A team of more than 180 attorneys
in six offices: Milwaukee, Madison,
Appleton, Green Bay & Waukesha,
Wisconsin; and Washington, DC.
MITCHELL CARPETS
Provides all types of commercial and
residential flooring throughout the
Kenosha Area.
POP MANUFACTURING, INC.
Designs & manufactures custom displays
and fixtures for the retail industry.
With over 300 members, KABA
represents a diverse group
of companies and individuals
interested in the economic
development of Kenosha County.
If you’re interested in membership,
contact KABA at info@kaba.org.
Some groups and individuals have been particularly passionate about specific projects, buildings,
or development concepts. The Lakota Group and project steering committee have made a
good-faith effort to listen to all parties and give consideration to any idea that supports the
vision of a thriving downtown. That said, as the planning process nears the finish line and moves
toward implementation, it must be firmly grounded in reality. Existing economic conditions,
market factors, and resource constraints require prudent decisions be made regarding where and
how much the community can and should invest to best stimulate Downtown’s Revitalization.
And, as officials from Dubuque, IA noted at the KABA Annual Meeting, future success will most
likely start from within the community and be led by those that have a considerable stake in
Downtown. In other words, it is time to roll up our collective sleeves and get to work with an
emphasis on manageable projects that we have the ability, and can garner the resources, to tackle.
In reviewing key elements of the plan that the Lakota Group has prepared and considering how
we move this from concept to reality, here are a few recommendations contained within the
plan that make considerable sense:
1. Concentrate Initial Efforts on a Primary Investment Zone/Area. The downtown study area
encompassed approximately 350 acres. The Lakota Group has identified a 35-acre primary
investment zone where resources should be concentrated initially to best build momentum.
2. Currently downtown lacks the dedicated resources required to sustain an effective downtown
management program. Professional Management and Marketing Support are necessary to take
Downtown to the next level and keep it there. There is a need for a person/entity with direct
responsibility for the coordination of downtown development initiatives.
3. Decisions are needed re: key buildings – which ones should stay and which ones should
go. Structures that have historical and architectural significance should be a priority. That said,
they can’t all be saved. The supply of old, vacant and underutilized properties far outstrips the
demand, both now and in the foreseeable future. Using up time, energy and resources fighting
amongst ourselves over which buildings ought to be saved could become exhausting. Economic
realities and other plan components (i.e. primary investment zone) should help drive decisions
regarding where the community allocates its limited resources to get a return on investment.
4. A few larger projects have potential to be catalysts for Downtown Revitalization. Relocating
City Hall, expansion of the trolley system to include North – South route, and efforts to locate a
major professional employer into the downtown would have multiple spill over benefits.
5. The Lake Michigan Shoreline/Waterfront is an invaluable asset that distinguishes Downtown, if
properly utilized and leveraged.
Sincerely,
Todd, Battle, President
Kaba Member News & Notes
Riley Construction’s Pete Sinsky named CFO of the Year
Peter Sinsky, Chief Financial Officer of Riley Construction Company, has been honored by the Business Journal of Milwaukee as CFO of the Year in the Medium-Sized
Private Companies ($50 Million - $250 Million) category. He will receive his award at a luncheon at Milwaukee’s Pfister Hotel on October 5th.
Pete has been with Riley for over four years and is responsible for the accounting, human resources, insurance, contracting and information technology
departments. His 20 years in the financial and accounting world started in public accounting at Clifton Gunderson (now CliftonLarsonAllen), having served as
partner in charge of their Kenosha office.
Pete is a graduate of Carthage College, with bachelor’s degrees in business administration and accounting. He is a licensed certified public accountant (CPA) in Wisconsin
and Illinois and volunteers his time for many community organizations including Kenosha Rotary West, Margaret-Ann’s Place and KABA.
Current CEO purchases IEA, Inc. and refocuses
on growth as Engendren Corporation
Zilber Property Group acquires four
industrial buildings in Kenosha County
James A. Kettinger, who has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of IEA,
Inc., for the past five years completed his purchase of the company from George and
Sue Newell in May.
Zilber Property Group has acquired two single-tenant industrial
buildings totaling 30,000 square feet in the Business Park of
Kenosha (BPOK) and two single-tenant industrial buildings in
Pleasant Prairie’s LakeView
Corporate Park.
Kettinger, who served as IEA’s CEO following four years consulting with the
company, explained that to take advantage of its many domestic and global growth
opportunities, IEA needed to expand its financing base.
The two LakeView
Corporate Park properties
are occupied by Honeywell
and Focus Products Group.
“Jim has done a great job guiding IEA to its current strong market position,” said
George Newell.
The Engendren family will initially consist of IEA, LLC,
continuing the legacy of world-class radiator manufacturing;
ArcRon, LLC, a steel fabrication subsidiary; and Silver
Linings Systems, LLC, which provides thermally managed
environments for technical data center equipment such as
computer servers, switches and back-up power units.
Engendren employs 255 people at its facilities in Kenosha
and Menomonee Falls. They were named a COSBE/
MMAC Future 50 award winner this year and Kettinger is
the 2012 Entrepreneur of the Year, presented by KABA
and the Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce.
These acquisitions bring Zilber’s total holdings in BPOK to
320,000 SF and 28 acres of vacant land sites. Jade Electronics,
Inc. is relocating their business to one of the BPOK buildings to
accommodate their growth and the other building will remain
occupied by Horizon Systems Machining.
“This is a strategic acquisition in a business park with
desirable proximity to Chicago and Milwaukee, easy
access to I-94 and is a continuation of our commitment
to investing in industrial properties in this location,”
stated John Kersey, Zilber’s Executive Vice President.
Additionally, Zilber announced five new tenants that have leased
space in BPOK’s Business Center and Commerce Center of
Kenosha: Bone Dry Products, Thomas Interests, Bradshaw Medical,
Paratech Ambulance Service, and RAMS Sheet Metal Equipment.
“As exciting as this stage of the venture
is, it’s just our beginning. We’re now in
a position to take this enterprise to an
even greater future,” said Kettinger.
KABA Portfolio Update
Board Member Profile
On May 23, KABA’s Finance Committee approved a $500,000 loan
package for Handi-Ramp. KABA’s funds will be used to assist the
company with the purchase of a manufacturing facility located in the
Business Park of Kenosha and equipment that will allow the company
to commence manufacturing operations in Wisconsin. Handi-Ramp,
located in Libertyville, Illinois, is expanding manufacturing operations
for its heavy duty material handling product line and selected Kenosha
for its new
plant.The company manufactures
and markets dockboards, dockplates,
yard ramps and non-slip treads to a
national customer base.
On June 27, KABA’s Finance Committee approved a $180,000
loan package for Platinum Systems, Inc. KABA’s funds will be used
to assist the company with the purchase of a building situated on
Green Bay Road that houses the company’s corporate offices.
Platinum Systems offers a full scope of core services in computer
networking, managed
technology support,
disaster recovery
and mobile solutions. The company serves businesses along the
Chicago/Milwaukee corridor.
KABA unveils new GIS mapping utility for its
website: www.kenoshasites.com
Throughout Kenosha County there is a large selection of commercial, industrial,
manufacturing, retail and multi-use real estate to choose from when a company is looking
to locate or expand in the area. KABA has recently added an interactive GIS mapping
program which allows users to search according to their building or site requirements,
making the process much easier, faster, and more effective. The site is powered by a
state-wide database–http://wedc.org/locateinwisconsin–created and maintained by the
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).
The new online tool provides company executives and site selectors with comprehensive
information for making business expansion decisions in Kenosha County. The one-stop
system provides users with free and instant commercial real estate data, demographic
breakdowns, community details, lists of buildings
available for sale or lease, and information on the local
workforce, including education and skills.
KABA recently launched an email newsletter targeted to
site selection consultants, real estate professionals and
others interested in development news from throughout
Kenosha County.
InSite provides recent news and economic development
updates in Kenosha County as well as information about
doing business here including target industries, available
sites and buildings and financing and incentives.
If you would like to be added to the InSite mailing list,
please contact KABA at info@kaba.org.
The site can be accessed through the kaba website:
www.kaba.org/#/relocation_expansion/available_
properties/available_properties.asp; or by going
directly to www.kenoshasites.com.
Featured Property
For more information on this property or other available
business sites, please visit www.kenoshasites.com.
4909 70th Avenue, Kenosha Industrial Park
Building size: 64,690 SF / expandable to 141,285 SF
Site size: 10.88 acres
Zoning: M-2–Heavy Manufacturing
Loading: 1 exterior; 3 drive-in-doors (expandable)
Ceiling height: 18’ - 24’ Clear
October is Manufacturing Month in Wisconsin
There are many facility tours and presentations planned in Wisconsin communities
throughout the month dedicated to celebrating the industry that made Wisconsin
the powerhouse it is today. Celebrate manufacturing month in Kenosha!
Did you know...
Products “Made in America” are all around us. If the U.S.
manufacturing sector were its own country, its $1.7 trillion worth of annual valueadded would make it the ninth-largest economy in the world—bigger than the
entire economies of countries such as
India, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea.
Manufacturing supports millions
of other jobs in the U.S. More than
1 in 7 U.S. private sector jobs depend on
manufacturing. In all, the factory sector
supports almost 18 million jobs.
Manufacturing drives innovation. Manufacturers account for 70 percent
of all private sector R&D in this country.
Manufacturing generates more economic activity than any other
sector. Every dollar of final sales in manufacturing generates $1.34 in economic
activity throughout the rest of the economy, giving manufacturers a higher
multiplier effect than any other sector.
Manufacturing drives productivity growth. In the past decade,
manufacturing productivity grew at an average annual rate of 3.5 percent, more
than twice the rate of service sector productivity.
Manufacturing has the lion’s share of exports. U.S. manufacturers
exported $123 billion in goods per month last year to 238 different countries.
The age gap between the industrial and non-industrial workforces
is widening. Today the median age in manufacturing is 44.1 years versus 42.1
years for the total non-farm workforce, and the gap continues to spread.
Source: Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation
#YLINK
KABA becomes Y-Link’s managing partner
Kenosha’s young professional organization - Young Leaders in Kenosha (Y-Link) - has been busy
planning a new slate of programming and events to help young professionals in the Kenosha Area
develop professionally, meet new people and serve our community.
In July, Y-Link announced its entrance into a managing partner agreement with KABA. What does
this mean? KABA will be providing the infrastructure and personnel for Y-Link, allowing its board to
concentrate on leading the organization on to bigger and better things.
KABA is in the process of expanding its team to better serve the organization. It is in the process
of hiring a Director of Talent Development who will also serve as Y-Link’s Executive Director.
Kenosha County employers: now is a great time to encourage your young professionals to become
involved in Y-Link! If you would like more information or a presentation at your company about the
benefits of being involved with the organization, please contact Y-Link at info@ylinkenosha.com or
262.605.1100.
Pictured (L-R): KABA President
Todd Battle and Y-Link President
Randy Troutman
Raise the Bar!
In August, over 60 young professionals came out to hear about the exciting blueprint recently
drafted to guide the development of downtown Kenosha at the inaugural ‘Raise the Bar’ event at
Pazzo’s. The next event will be held in late October–watch for more details coming soon!
Raise the Bar is a networking series that offers interesting policy discussion about timely,
important topics aimed at ‘raising the bar’ in our community... all while enjoying some great
drinks, food and fun!
To be added to the mailing list and receive updates and invitations from Y-Link, please contact
KABA at info@kaba.org | 262.605.1100, or sign up right on the Y-Link website:
www.ylinkenosha.com.
Spotlight on a YP: Kim Lishamer, LMI Packaging Solutions, Inc.
Kim Lishamer is the epitome of an up-and-comer.
Eight years ago, she ended a four-year tenure at Abbott Laboratories to join LMI Packaging Solutions. She began as a Cost Accountant before
gaining promotion to Business Analyst and, most recently, Sales and Operations Planning Manager.
Along the way, the Western Kenosha County native became the mother of two children (Emily, 6, and Nicholas, 4) and began her
pursuit of a degree in business management at Cardinal Stritch University.
In addition to playing a key role in implementing new process at LMI, Kim has been a key force in the company’s civic involvement.
That community outreach has included two annual toy drives benefiting the Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin as well as two
“bare necessities” drives benefiting United Way.
Kim also serves on the Board of Directors the Kenosha Achievement Center and Y-Link, for which she chairs the Community
Engagement committee.
“I love Kenosha and enjoy working for an organization that fosters a good culture, focuses on continuously improving
organizational health and truly cares about giving back to the community,” Kim says.
724 58th Street, Kenosha
Thurs. - Sat.: 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Embellished Heart is a relatively new downtown
boutique that offers vintage furniture, art, home
decor, unique gifts, jewelry and much more.
The mother-daughter team of Tori and Norma
Tarlton decided to take their creative hobby full
time and make a living doing what they love.
Embellished Heart has been transforming houses
and homes ever since the shop opened its doors
five years ago.
Interior Designer Kelle Dame, of Kelle Dame
Interiors, has this to say about the shop she
frequents: “Tori has unique finds with undeniable
personality. Being able to pick a custom color
#DOWNTOWN
KTOWN
The Kenosha Downtown Strategic Plan is now
available online!
After months of information gathering, research
and community involvement, the Lakota Group–
commissioned by KABA and the City of Kenosha–
has finished the plan that will serve as a blueprint
for the revitalization of Kenosha’s Downtown.
An e-zine version of the plan, as well as a
concepts & exhibits page which breaks the report
into sections, is available on the Lakota Group’s
website: www.thelakotagroup.com/kenosha.
KABA and the City of Kenosha would like to thank the Steering Committee,
stakeholders, residents and participants at the workshops and through the online
survey for their invaluable input.
Downtown Kenosha wayfinding
signage close to becoming a reality
Soon visitors to the Kenosha Area will have a much easier time finding their way
to one of its greatest attractions: its lakefront downtown.
Starting next Spring, signage leading travelers from Interstate 94 to the Downtown
area, will begin being installed on 52nd St. (Hwy. 158) east of Green Bay Rd.–the
designated route to Downtown Kenosha.
for furniture pieces opens up an entire world of
possibilities for myself and my clients. I am most
definitely an Embellished Heart fan!”
Embellished Heart also offers what they call
“furniture facelift services”, giving a new life and
look to outdated or worn out pieces.
According to Tori, “Our motto is to live well,
celebrate, and cherish what really matters to you.”
Plans for the signage were already in the works when the Lakota Group started
its research process in January 2012. In the final report, the consulting group
stresses that moving from the design phase to construction and installation should
be a high priority. They also recommend that the first
phase should focus on key corridors into the
Downtown, specifically at 52nd Street
(Hwy 158), Sheridan Road (Hwy 32),
and 63rd Street (Hwy 50).
Department of Transportation
(DOT) regulations prohibit
signage on the interstate leading
to attractions more than five
miles away, so Downtown
signage between I-94 and Green
Bay Road will be limited.
There is an exception for
museums, however, so two
signs on I-94 at the exit for
Hwy 158 will direct motorists
to “Downtown Kenosha Area
Museums”.
Kenosha County at-a-glance: Economy
PLACE
INDECIA
HERE
5500 Sixth Avenue, Suite 200
Kenosha, WI 53140-3752
Board of Directors
Chair
Vice Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Virginia Moran
Chief Executive Officer,
LMI Packaging Solutions, Inc.
Frank Unick
Chief Financial Officer,
Uline, Inc.
Susan Ventura
Senior Vice President &
Chief Operating Officer,
United Hospital System
Patrick DeGrace
Director of Customer Care,
Hospira Worldwide, Inc.
William Abt
Senior Vice President of
Business & Administration,
Carthage College
William Chew
Regional President –
Midwest & Southeast Regions,
SuperValu, Inc.
Bryan Albrecht
President,
Gateway Technical College
Susan Crane
Manager, We Energies, Inc.
Marvin Bembry
Director – State & Local
Government Affairs, Abbott
Guy Bradshaw
Chairman & Chief Executive
Officer, Bradshaw Medical, Inc.
Matthew Davidson
CEO, Xten Industries, LLC
Ken Dowdell
Vice President/Publisher,
Kenosha News
Dr. Deborah Ford
Chancellor, University of
Wisconsin-Parkside
Timothy Geraghty
Attorney, Godin Geraghty
Puntillo Camilli, SC
Chris Olson
Vice President & CEO,
Aurora Health Care
Gregg Thompson
Chief Executive Officer,
Bukacek Construction
Dr. Michele Hancock
Superintendent of Schools,
Kenosha Unified School District
Aldo Pagliari
Senior Vice President – Finance
& Chief Financial Officer,
Snap-on Incorporated
Stanley Torstenson
Retired CEO,
Stan’s Lumber, Inc.
Mitchell Januszewski
President & CEO,
Regulatory Compliance
Associates, Inc.
Brenda Penesis
Plant Manager,
GBC / ACCO Brands
Peter Valeri
President, Valeri Agency, Inc.
Dennis Vignieri
President,
Kenosha Beef
International, Ltd.
Karla Krehbiel
Senior Vice President,
Johnson Bank
Carl Schultz
Owner,
Five Star Fabricating, Inc.
Ronald Kwasny
Treasurer,
Jockey International, Inc.
Peter Sinsky
Chief Financial Officer,
Riley Construction Co., Inc.
Timothy Woods
Director – Manufacturing
& Operations NA,
SC Johnson & Son, Inc.
Teri Muehlbauer,
Office Manager
Becky Noble,
Director of Marketing
Rich Rodenbeck,
Director of Business Finance
Staff
Todd Battle,
President
Lisa Feltson,
Administrative Assistant