By Steve Baas - Senior VP of Governmental Affairs, MMAC For the first half of the year (and actually long before that) MMAC partnered with a coalition of business leaders and the state DNR on the EPA’s new proposed Ozone rules. In the late 2000s and the early 2010s, we worked with the EPA, DNR and local businesses to get our region out of the “non-attainment zone” classification for Ozone. If you are “non-attainment” it triggers growth restrictions and regulations on a region that limit economic competitiveness – especially in manufacturing – and add millions in additional utility costs. Because of the progress we made as a region in clean air, we achieved “attainment” status earlier this decade.
![]() Near West Side Partners, Inc. (NWSP) was formed three years ago as part of an unprecedented public-private partnership to revitalize and sustain Milwaukee’s Near West Side as a thriving business and residential corridor. Led by five of Milwaukee’s most recognizable organizations – Aurora Health Care, Harley-Davidson, Marquette University, MillerCoors and Potawatomi Business Development Corporation – the partnership is working to celebrate and enhance this historic part of Milwaukee. Their efforts have included innovative programs to promote commercial corridor development, a nationally recognized public safety approach that has resulted in double-digit decreases in crime, new neighborhood identity and branding, and programs to promote better housing. MMAC today released its analysis of the projected impact to Wisconsin’s gross domestic product (GDP) from the incentive package tied to Foxconn’s capital investment and job creation. GDP is the best measure of the value added to the economy. The analysis is based on the state’s tax credit agreement executed with Foxconn on November 10, 2017.
The Milwaukee 7 Economic Development Partnership has announced the first round of loans to be awarded from its new Venture Capital Fund. The $1 million fund – supported with a $500,000 grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s Capital Catalyst Program that is matched by the Milwaukee Economic Development Corp. – provides loans and grants to early and growth stage companies. The fund targets seed-stage ventures in advanced manufacturing and other technology sectors, including graduates of local accelerator programs such as The BREW, WERCBench Labs, FaBCAP and Gener8tor.
The fund provides additional capital to emerging companies and second-stage start-ups in southeast Wisconsin for activities leading to investment readiness or revenue generation. The capital is intended to help companies achieve measurable business development milestones, such as feasibility assessments, product development and market validation... >>READ MORE ...Walker can be an ally to the business groups' cause but “the regulatory process is different from the political process,” said Steve Baas, MMAC's senior vice president of governmental affairs and public policy. MMAC is convening a meeting of business representatives and economic development officials ... >>READ MORE
The Milwaukee 7 Export Development Grant Program presented by JP Morgan Chase, now in its second year, has awarded just over $200,000 in funding to 53 companies throughout SE Wisconsin, including seven woman-owned and one minority-owned businesses.
Building a better metro: Enhancing Milwaukee’s best assets & reducing its biggest liabilities1/2/2018
Company planning $242 million production plant
by TIM Sheehy President of the MMAC
![]() (Milwaukee, WI) The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) said Wednesday that the announcement by Foxconn to locate a facility in Southeastern Wisconsin is a once-in-a-generation investment that will create thousands of jobs and transform the state’s economy. “Wisconsin has been a manufacturing leader for more than 100 years, and with the introduction of this industry, we are ensuring Wisconsin remains the backbone of manufacturing for decades to come,” said MMAC President Tim Sheehy. Foxconn is among the world’s largest companies with global employment of 1.3 million and $136 billion in annual revenues. The company is a leader in research and development, focusing on nanotechnology, wireless connectivity, material sciences and green manufacturing. “This is a great win for Wisconsin,” said Todd Teske, chairman, president and CEO of Briggs & Stratton Co. and Chairman of the MMAC. “The project will require us all to raise our talent game and take our workforce to the next level. Foxconn is joining a strong group of established, high-performing and agile companies that call Wisconsin home and we are thrilled to have them join our business community.” “This partnership with Foxconn will put Wisconsin at the center of next generation manufacturing for the foreseeable future. That’s good news for business, for customers and for talent. I welcome Foxconn to Wisconsin,” said Blake Moret,president and CEO of Rockwell Automation. MMAC represents 1,800 member businesses with 300,000 employees in metro Milwaukee. The organization’s mission is to grow economic opportunity in metro Milwaukee; advocate for a pro-business climate; and provide the best business network so members can earn and learn from each other. ![]() (Milwaukee, WI) The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) said Wednesday that the announcement by Foxconn to locate a facility in Southeastern Wisconsin is a once-in-a-generation investment that will create thousands of jobs and transform the state’s economy. “Wisconsin has been a manufacturing leader for more than 100 years, and with the introduction of this industry, we are ensuring Wisconsin remains the backbone of manufacturing for decades to come,” said MMAC President Tim Sheehy. Foxconn is among the world’s largest companies with global employment of 1.3 million and $136 billion in annual revenues. The company is a leader in research and development, focusing on nanotechnology, wireless connectivity, material sciences and green manufacturing. “This is a great win for Wisconsin,” said Todd Teske, chairman, president and CEO of Briggs & Stratton Co. and Chairman of the MMAC. “The project will require us all to raise our talent game and take our workforce to the next level. Foxconn is joining a strong group of established, high-performing and agile companies that call Wisconsin home and we are thrilled to have them join our business community.” “This partnership with Foxconn will put Wisconsin at the center of next generation manufacturing for the foreseeable future. That’s good news for business, for customers and for talent. I welcome Foxconn to Wisconsin,” said Blake Moret,president and CEO of Rockwell Automation. MMAC represents 1,800 member businesses with 300,000 employees in metro Milwaukee. The organization’s mission is to grow economic opportunity in metro Milwaukee; advocate for a pro-business climate; and provide the best business network so members can earn and learn from each other. ![]() Milwaukee 7 (M7), the economic development partnership of the seven counties of Southeast Wisconsin, said Wednesday that Foxconn’s announcement to locate a facility in the state is proof positive that Wisconsin has all the ingredients necessary to drive economic growth. Foxconn’s investment in the Milwaukee Region will be the largest corporate attraction project in U.S. history as measured by jobs. “We’re delighted with this unprecedented partnership between Foxconn and Wisconsin,” said Gale Klappa, chairman of WEC Energy Group and Milwaukee 7 co-chair. “The project will provide long-term benefits to our community and our employers, and most importantly, create literally thousands of new, family-sustaining job opportunities. This partnership proves what we have known all along – Wisconsin is truly open for business.” Klappa added that M7 will steadfastly continue its mission to help area companies grow and expand. Jim Paetsch, M7 vice president - Corporate Relocation, Expansion & Attraction noted, “This deal plants Wisconsin’s flag squarely in the digital economy of the 21st Century. Foxconn’s decision reflects the state’s advantages in skilled workforce, freshwater, reliable energy and a base of strong corporate headquarters. This move will have a ripple effect as it impacts supply chain and companies large and small.” M7 continues to build the region's capacity and accelerate economic growth. Since forming, it has been involved in 82 business attraction and expansion projects, representing more than 15,800 direct jobs, $870 million in in annual wages, and $1.4 billion in capital investment. In addition to Klappa, the partnership is co-chaired by Ted Kellner, executive chairman of Fiduciary Management, Inc.; Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett; and Paul Farrow, Waukesha County Executive. Foxconn is among the world’s largest companies, with global employment of 1.3 million and $136 billion in annual revenues. The company, which will manufacture next-generation LCD panels in Wisconsin, is a leader in research and development, focusing on nanotechnology, wireless connectivity, material sciences and green manufacturing. Banking in transition: When was the last time you visited your bank? By David Werner - Park Bank7/17/2017
![]() The convenience and ease of 24/7 access and mobility are innovating the world of banking at a rapid pace. According to Gartner and IDC, by 2018 banks and financial institutions’ clients will access and contact their banks mainly through mobile devices. While online and mobile banking adoption has been rising, the number of bank branches across the country has been steadily declining. Role of brick-and-mortar banks is changing While this trend doesn’t mean a total elimination of brick-and-mortar banking, it does mean that bank leadership is rethinking branch size, layout, hiring, staffing, training and services. For example, routine transactions can be handled by advanced ATMs or self-service kiosks. Personnel at new, right-sized branches require a broader skill set to manage multiple responsibilities and more complex transactions with customers, such as helping with key life decisions. This makes the face-to-face interaction with customers extremely critical and differentiating. We see this trend as a net positive for customers who desire a mix of digital services and human interaction and can decide on their own how and when to bank. ![]() Fin Tech firms offer innovations A wave of financial technology (FinTech) startups has also impacted financial institutions of all sizes. One of the fastest-growing areas for venture capitalists, FinTech describes an emerging financial services sector that creates computer programs, apps and other technology to support, enable or replace traditional banking and financial services. FinTechs spur new innovations in areas such as money transfers, payments, lending, investing and security by integrating into the lifestyles of tech-savvy and sophisticated customers. Venmo, Kabbage, SoFi, Wealthfront and Acorns are some of the more well-known companies, but it is estimated that there are more than 1,000 such startups. Many FinTech companies compete directly with financial institutions while others complement banking services, providing an opportunity for banks to deliver new technology without the startup investment outlay. By partnering with FinTechs to offer the latest innovations, financial institutions are able to stay relevant and appeal to a growing market. ![]() Faster payments elevate need for cybersecurity Much of the technological innovation in banking is focused on payment processing and cybersecurity, and they go hand in hand. As banks implement faster payment systems such as same-day ACH for businesses, mobile deposit, digital wallet and person-to-person, the opportunity for cybercriminals grows as well. As a regulated industry, financial institutions have traditionally been leaders in cybersecurity and will continue to be diligent in protecting customers’ financial information and assets. I have heard this wave of technological innovation referred to as the “fourth industrial revolution.” It will fundamentally alter the way we live, work and relate to one another impacting not only banks, but how all business is conducted. By adopting some of these innovations, community banks like Park Bank are able to offer the best of both worlds to customers: the ease of access and control over their information and money with personal, face-to-face relationship-building conversations and advising. Is your business preparing for this revolution?
There was a time, not that long ago, when technology was something you “plugged in” to your business. A faster computer, a more sophisticated phone system or a new software platform. Today, technology is not an isolated tool, but a way of life, both personally and professionally. For most of us, it’s hard to keep up with the latest developments. But many Many of our members – both large and small – are not only keeping up with technology, they’re creating the next wave of innovation. Transformation to a technology led business model can be intimidating, and it is not without risks. The sheer amount of data being received, sent and collected leaves companies vulnerable to cyber-attacks. More than 80% of U.S. companies have been successfully hacked, according to a Duke University/CFO Magazine Global Business Outlook Survey!
What can you do to mitigate the risks and capitalize on the developments? Start by tapping into your MMAC network. In this issue, you’ll read about a number of member companies that are utilizing tools in new ways and provide tips on protecting your data. They can help you keep up and get ahead — making our region's business community more competitive and ahead of the ever-changing technology curve. Maximize manufacturing success using the internet of things by Sujeet Chand - Rockwell Automation7/17/2017
![]() When Rockwell Automation joined hundreds of other business, government, academic and tech leaders recently in London for Cisco’s IoT World Forum 2017, one topic dominated the event — business outcomes from IoT (Internet of Things) — successes, challenges and lessons learned from the many deployments. Today, organizations are progressing from pilot or proof-of-concept IoT projects to scalable IoT deployments, according to IDC’s Global IoT Decision Maker Survey. About 31% of those surveyed said they’ve already launched IoT solutions and another 43% said they’re looking to deploy solutions in the next 12 months. Analytics deliver value in devices, across a plant or enterprise-wide. Answers hiding in analytics The number of IoT devices in industrial control systems continues to grow at a rapid pace. With this growth in networked devices comes a significant increase in the volume of data that industrial companies must be able to manage and leverage for business outcomes. Scalable, flexible analytics can contextualize your information and deliver value incrementally in devices, the plant and the enterprise. Examples include:
Local maintenance analytics, for example, can use device-level data to produce real-time alerts about critical device and machine health. This can help you implement faster decision-making closer to the process, where time is critical. Machine-level or plant-level analytics implemented in edge devices such as controllers and plant-floor servers can be used to optimize machines, processes and plants. They also can be leveraged to implement predictive-maintenance strategies. Enterprise-level analytics integrate plant-floor information with business intelligence. This can help you improve your operational productivity or compliance efforts across several sites. ![]() Industrial security: Solutions from plant to enterprise The top IoT challenge cited by respondents in the IDC survey is security (26%). It’s not surprising. Security can seem like an overwhelming burden given the challenges you face, from legacy equipment that wasn’t designed for security to more easily accessible information that can be vulnerable to both malicious and non-malicious threats. In the face of these challenges, taking a holistic approach to industrial security can put your organization in line with industry best practices for protecting intellectual property and other assets. Upon the completion of your assessment, you should understand your security posture and the specific mitigation techniques needed to bring your operation to an acceptable risk level. From there, your industrial security program should adopt a defense-in-depth (DiD) security approach. DiD security adheres to the principle that any single point of protection can and probably will be defeated. It uses physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to create multiple layers of protection throughout your enterprise. Finally, make a point to only work with trusted vendors. Request their security policies and practices, and make sure they help – not hurt – your ability to meet your security goals. ![]() In today’s technology landscape — which includes email as the preferred communication tool and internet browsing as the conduit of information—organizations of all sizes are at risk from cyber attacks. The latest large scale ransomware attack dubbed “WannaCry” was first detected the morning of May 12, 2017 and affected an estimated 200,000 computers globally. As the methods of intrusion become increasingly sophisticated, protection of your organization’s data should be a top priority. Here are some quick protection tips in order of importance: End User Education Most hacker attempts are no longer attacks on firewalls or servers. It is far easier for a nefarious character to pose as a known entity or a trusted brand. Identification of oddities, suspicious timing, or peculiar content in the form of email messages or websites are keys to prevent infections. Ongoing training of your end users to identify common tactics used by hackers will greatly reduce the potential for a virus outbreak. E-Mail Protection This tool is the first line of defense when it comes to e-mail phishing attacks and scams. In-depth heuristics and verification methods are critical to eliminate the majority of e-mail phishing attempts. Secure E-Mail Environment Many organizations may be unaware of simple and often overlooked configuration details that allow spam filters to work at their top potential. Default configurations may allow invisible hackers to pose as users allowing the transmission of malicious e-mails through the organization’s e-mail server. Offsite Backup Since there is no guaranteed method to prevent all intrusions, a reliable offsite backup solution is extremely valuable when a breach occurs. Utilizing cloud-based backup solutions that can run multiple times per day will limit how much data may be lost in the event of an infection. Correct User Permissions Similar to protecting your e-mail environment, it is critical to limit file access for users that do not require rights to certain file locations. Correct permissions and proper design of file structures will protect sensitive information and limit any potential infection or breach that may occur. Antivirus Software What used to be the #1 preventer of infections is now the last line of defense as cyberattacks today are more likely to succeed by exploiting people rather than technology infrastructure. In light of this shift in cyberattack methodology, AV solutions that analyze end user behavior instead of code are recommended. To learn more about this topic, MMAC members are invited to attend the “Cyber Security & Disaster Recovery” seminar presented by Technology Resource Advisors, Inc. on Thursday, September 14 at the Harley Davidson Museum. The featured presenter will be Byron Franz, Special Agent of the FBI. To reserve your space, send an email to [email protected]. ![]() We have all experienced this problem in the wine aisle: seemingly infinite selection with no good idea on which wine to pick. Ultimately, we make a wine purchase based on whether we like the label, or whether the price seems reasonable. Other times, we will just purchase the same wine over and over, or go with a wine that looks familiar. Milwaukee-based Bright Cellars solves this exact problem by using technology to help its members discover and learn about wine they love. Here’s how it works: 1. Members take a quiz that matches them to a unique four bottle-per-month wine subscription. 2. After trying each bottle, members have the opportunity to rate and review their selections. 3. Using these ratings, Bright Cellars’ proprietary algorithm gets better at matching members to wine every month. Bright Cellars' members discover wine from all over the world they love at an affordable $15 per bottle. Bright Cellars removes the guesswork from the wine purchasing process. With its individualized algorithm, Bright Cellars takes each member’s unique preferences into account, matching members to a diverse set of wines. Serving a new market With an emphasis on discovery and education, the company largely serves an underdeveloped wine market – millennials and wine drinkers who are just trying to learn more. Bright Cellars focuses on enabling members to learn about wine in a enjoyable, unpretentious way. Founded in 2014 by MIT grads Joe Laurendi and Richard Yau, Bright Cellars has been growing fast. With over 16,000 members and ten-fold growth in the last two years, the model is working well. “We’re resonating with our members,” Yau said. “They’re looking to try wine they wouldn’t otherwise pick up off the shelf and we’re improving the algorithm’s ability to match them to wine.” Building in Milwaukee “We started the company in Boston and had no idea we would find ourselves growing it in Milwaukee,” said Yau. A conversation with startup accelerator gener8tor’s partners Joe Kirgues and Troy Vosseller led to Bright Cellars participating in the program in 2015. Local venture capital firm CSA Partners, backed by Chris Abele, led Bright Cellars $2 million seed round. “CSA Partners and gener8tor have been champions of Bright Cellars since the day we met,” said Laurendi. “It was 100% clear to us by the end of our three-month program that Milwaukee would be the absolute best place to grow the company.” At the end of the accelerator program, Bright Cellars moved to the Ward4 co-working space in Milwaukee’s Third Ward. The company has since grown to 30 employees, with the majority of those employees coming from UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee. “We’re excited to continue to build Bright Cellars in Milwaukee and hope to become a leader in a $56 billion-a-year industry.” said Yau. To learn more about Bright Cellars and take the wine quiz, visit www.brightcellars.com. We are living in an age of disruption. More than 50 years after the formulation of Moore’s law – which holds that computing power doubles on capability every 18-24 months – technologies such as articifical intelligence (AI), mobile
platforms, sensors, robotics and social collaboration systems are becoming more pervasive and revolutionizing the way we live, work and communicate. In an increasingly connected world, one only has to think of how platforms such as Facebook, Netflix or Uber have transformed how we interact with and perceive different industries. While these examples are portrayals of how technology has facilitated the upheaval of long standing business models and disrupted industries, research shows similar transformations are taking place in all areas of business. As AI systems, robotics and cognitive tools grow in sophistication, almost every job is being reinvented, creating what many call the “augmented workforce.” As this trend gathers speed, organizations must consider how they design jobs, organize work and plan for future growth. Companies experiencing a fundamental shift Our research shows that most companies are in the middle of this fundamental shift. Thirty-one percent of companies in this year’s Global Human Capital Trends survey tell us they are in the process of implementing AI and robotics, and 34% are piloting selected areas. And 10% say they are fully automated or highly advanced in this area. Research clearly shows that one of the few rules for the digital age is to expand our vision of the workforce. We need to think about jobs in the context of tasks that can be automated (or outsourced) and the new role of human skills; and heighten the focus on the customer-employee experience. As discussed in the 2017 Global Human Capital Trends report, Ford Motor Co. has successfully harnessed the forces of technology disruption to become a pioneer in connectivity, mobility and autonomous vehicles. With nearly 200,000 employees, the company is going through a transformation, with a mission to “make people’s lives better by changing the way the world moves.” Moving from product to consumer focus Hinged on innovation, Ford has moved from a product to consumer focus in its products and services while also moving from a product to employee experience focus in its workforce solutions. The company has been developing new business and customer engagement models along with new product design and engineering approaches. To achieve these goals, Ford has aimed to cultivate a culture of empowerment for its employees; one focused on being nimble and defined by accelerated product exploration, creativity and development. In contrast, new products are revolutionizing long standing conceptions of how the workforce interacts with machinery and robotics. ABB, for example, has introduced an autonomous yet collaborative robot called YuMi to its global assembly lines. YuMi is a dual arm, small parts assembly robot that includes flexible hands, parts feeding systems, camera-based part location and state-of-the-art robot control allowing it to work closely with human operative without the need for cages or barriers. Global workforces are changing. Whether it is behind the scenes or on the assembly line, technology has become more intrinsic than ever to the manufacturing process. By focusing on the employee experience, business leaders can improve employee engagement, empower teams and develop workforce solutions that will be useful and compelling. For more insights from Deloitte’s 2017 Global Human Capital Trends report, visit https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/human-capital/articles/introduction-human-capital-trends.html |