Green Bay Innovation Group
GBIG News

Month: June 2023

Support Needed for New Engineering Building

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UW Madison College of Engineering logo

UW-Madison is conducting exceptional research, and GBIG is involved in two high-impact UW-Madison initiatives. GBIG is collaborating with professors involved with the Center for Chemical Upcycling of Waste Plastics (CUWP) and an experimental fusion machine which produces sustainable, locally generated process heat.

What breakthroughs are on the horizon? UW-Madison needs a new Engineering Building to continue its outstanding work. However, Wisconsin legislators aren’t supporting a proposal to construct a much- needed Engineering building to support the citizens and businesses of Wisconsin. This will have a major negative impact on the State of Wisconsin with UW graduates and businesses moving out of Wisconsin!

As a State, we are facing numerous challenges. Industry and our Universities will have to work together to come up with solutions.

  1. PFAS has become a major issue with more and more cities finding PFAS in our wells, rivers, and lakes. The UW-Madison Chemical Engineering Department, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and several Non-Profit Associations are doing extensive research on it. UW-Madison has partnered with Iowa State University plus several other Universities researching PFAS and Plastics!
  2. Wisconsin can anticipate a growing number of large lawsuits against our State, Municipalities, and Industries! We need to approve funding for research on PFAS or pay the price for it!
  3. Wisconsin has over 43,000 people involved in the Plastics Manufacturing Industry and 25,000 in the Flexible Packaging Industry with a large converting Industry and supporting Industries! UW-Madison Chemical Engineering Department has been working with the Flexible Packaging and Plastics Industries with a large coalition of Industry Partners. We want to protect our industries and employees by coming up with new products and solutions.
  4. UW-Madison Chemical Engineering Department under George Huber has done extensive research on converting biomass into gasoline, diesel jet fuel on a clean technology format from renewable cellulosic biomass. With our vast forests and logging, Wisconsin has the potential to become a large energy producer utilizing our resources.
  5. We have witnessed large fires burning out of control in Canada and Western United States. UW-Madison Forestry Department is a national leader in forest science, wildlife, research, teaching, and training our students to support and protect our valuable resources. Wisconsin’s forests cover over 40% of the total land area, encompassing nearly 17 million acres plus our 15,000 lakes and rivers!

As citizens, we must decide our fate by supporting the new UW-Madison Engineering Building to keep engineering students, graduates and companies in Wisconsin!

Maximize Your 5P Industry Network with GBIG’s New Sponsor Webpage

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People smiling and shaking hands sitting at a desk

Networking with others in the 5P Industries just became easier. Green Bay Innovation Group updated its GBIG Sponsor Directory webpage https://greenbayinnovationgroup.com/gbig-sponsors/ to be more comprehensive, providing company overviews and clickable contact information. Plus, the sponsor database is searchable by category and keyword, so organizations can quickly identify the companies with the capabilities they seek or the people they want to contact. By typing a keyword or category into the search box, users gain access to a list of specific organizations to fit their needs.

Search GBIG Sponsor Database by Keyword & Category

With nearly 150 GBIG Sponsors in the directory, the search capability ensures that you can be found easily by other sponsors and the general public. Website visitors can find your company and your industry by category or keyword.

Search directory

The GBIG Sponsor entries include:

  • Company name
  • Contact Person
  • Business Address
  • Phone number
  • Email
  • Website

Confirm the Accuracy of Your GBIG Listing & Submit Notes

Thanks to the team at Packerland Websites for creating this useful database of sponsors. The team encourages sponsors to check their entries to confirm the accuracy of your listing. In addition, please provide a couple paragraphs about your company. Include industry keywords, like flexographic printing, coating, machining, etc. These paragraphs will further educate the audience and enhance searchability and facilitate more connections. The paragraphs will display in the “Show Notes” directory section. Send the information paragraphs to Bill@packerlandwebsites.com, and use the subject line GBIG Sponsor Page.

Connect with Sponsors to Conduct Business in the 5P Industry

GBIG members/sponsors find and conduct a good deal of business through their involvement with our organization. The updated GBIG Sponsor webpage is just one more way to provide value to sponsors. The sponsor directory makes it easier than ever for 5P Industry representatives find what they’re looking for to be successful. The updated Sponsor webpage uses innovative technology to improve the user experience, so sponsors and non-sponsors alike can connect and work together to achieve their business goals.

June 21st, 2023 Newsletter

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Read the June 21st, 2023 Green Bay Innovation Group Newsletter here.

Read newsletter

GBIG NEWS | 70 Stories and Links on the Internet 06/21/2023

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GBIG News

Get links to the latest news, events, stories, and interviews from our 5P news sponsors. Our goal is to remind the decision-makers in Wisconsin of the importance of our industry both historically, and more importantly, into the future.

Read the latest 70 Stories and Links on the Internet below.

Featured Stories

Education

PFAS

Wisconsin

Paper

Ashwaubenon

Sponsor

Business Leaders Meet for New North Summit

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The Power of Place is the theme of the annual New North Summit which occurred June 8 at the Lambeau Field Atrium, Green Bay. GBIG appreciates all that New North does as a catalyst for regional prosperity. Barb LaMue, President and CEO of New North does a phenomenal job implementing regional strategies for business growth and talent development.

Barb LaMue

Building Your Brand Through the Interview Process

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By Diane Mitchell, Managing Partner, Global Recruiters of Green Bay

While we’re hearing news of layoffs in some sectors, the demand for technical skills in manufacturing remains high in Wisconsin. To attract, hire, and retain top talent, it’s worth considering the critical role the candidate experience plays during their interviewing process. A positive experience not only reflects well on your organization’s brand but also increases the likelihood of securing the best candidates. By implementing effective strategies to manage your candidate’s experience, you can build strong relationships, promote transparency, and leave a lasting impression.

Diane Mitchell
  • Create a welcoming atmosphere – from the first phone screen to the moment the candidate steps foot into your organization, keep in mind that they are interviewing you as a potential boss and employer. Greet candidates warmly, provide introductions, and share information on the role and company to ease nerves while setting a positive tone for the interview.
  • Provide timely updates – transparent and consistent communication is essential throughout the interviewing process. Clearly communicate the steps and timeline. Provide updates to candidates 24-48 hours after an interview even if it’s to inform them of a rejection. Every candidate has thanked me for letting them know where they stand in the process regardless of whether or not the news is disappointing. Ghosting candidates isn’t just bad behavior, it also impacts your brand. The candidate won’t apply for other roles and will tell their peers to stay away.
  • Streamline the process – candidates will lose patience and become frustrated if the process takes too long or has too many steps. The best companies can work through their process in two weeks. Carefully consider if you need an extra assessment or interview step. The delay may give another company time to start and finish their interview process, ‘stealing’ your top candidate.

Even if you’ve selected your top candidate, it doesn’t mean the applicant has selected you as an employer. The candidate will most likely consider the recruiting process as a crucial part of their decision. By focusing on creating a compelling candidate experience, companies can be sure to leave a positive impression and enhance their brand image.

GB Chamber Recognizes Businesses & Individuals

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Three GBIG sponsors were honored at the Greater Green Bay Chamber Business Recognition Luncheon Awards & Showcase. Fiberglass Solutions LLC received the Growth Award; Green Bay Packaging received the Special Accomplishment Award for its Mill Reclaimed Water Project, and Bill Koehne, owner of Packerland Websites, was a Top 3 finalist in the Business Person of the Year Contest.

Table with Business Recognition Luncheon card
Photos by Shayna Marie Wild & Free

Fiberglass Solutions LLC: Ben and Amy Bertram purchased Fiberglass Solutions LLC in 2018, with a vision of growth and expansion. From 2018 to 2021, the company experienced year-over-year, double- digit sales growth before stabilizing in 2022 at $3.24M. Fiberglass Solutions LLC is on pace for almost $4M in 2023.

Green Bay Packaging: When GBP built its new mill, the first in Wisconsin in over 35 years, the company chose to be more water-resilient with reclaimed water use. This avoided the need to direct intake or discharge to the Fox River and reduced water withdrawal from the Great Lakes waterbody. GBP partnered with NEW Water to reclaim municipal wastewater for reuse in papermaking.

Bill Koehne, owner of Packerland Websites, started building websites on a whim and now the company has over 500 website clients. Bill, who serves as a GBIG director, donated over $60,000 in website services to nonprofits in 2022 alone and over a quarter of a million dollars over the past five years. Bill excels as a marketing mentor to businesses and nonprofits.

Nearly 500 attendees honored area businesses and individuals at the annual Business Recognition Luncheon Awards & Showcase held at the KI Convention Center in downtown Green Bay.

The event serves to honor individuals’ and companies’ achievements, growth, innovation, and exceptional business practices in Greater Green Bay. Finalists were recognized and recipients announced in five award categories.

The 2023 award recipients are:

  • Cornerstone Award: Georgia-Pacific
  • Entrepreneurial Award: FAVORYT Brand
  • Growth Award: Fiberglass Solutions LLC
  • Special Accomplishment Award: Green Bay Packaging
  • Business Person of the Year: Ben Schill, CEO, Paper Transport

“Today’s gathering was truly enjoyable as we celebrated the remarkable achievements of our thriving business community.” said Eric DeKorne, Chamber Vice President of Development. “The companies and individuals present here have made a significant impact on the community, and their unwavering dedication to success and progress plays a pivotal role in fostering the community’s growth and vitality.”

Swing Big with GBIG with over 150 registered golfers and 25 exhibitors and guests.

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Big group of people

Swing Big with GBIG was an outstanding event with over 150 registered golfers, 25 exhibitors and guests. We want to thank Steve Van Dyke President of the Green Bay Innovation Group for putting the golf outing together plus all the golfers! We want to thank Packerland Websites for sponsoring a hole to win $10,000 and the other twenty-five-hole sponsors!

The foursome representing CG Bretting Manufacturing Company of Ashland won the golf outing, shooting a 54. Adam Kohlbeck of Basic Metals, Germantown, won $475 in the 50/50 raffle. He participated in Swing Big with GBIG as a guest of McClone Insurance, Menasha.

Thank You,
Green Bay Innovation Group Board of Directors

  • Four men from Personal Packaging Systems
  • Six golfers from Amundsen Davis
  • Marty Oaks with four golfers from Legacy Flexo
  • Joan and Bill Koehne from Packerland Websites with four other golfers
  • Four golfers from Green Bay Packaging
  • Marty Oaks with a golfer from Apricity
  • Four golfers from Amundsen

Quad Plus: Are you familiar with power factor correction and its purpose for avoiding costly penalties?

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Are you having problems with your power distribution at your plant or factory? It is crucial to get up to speed with power factor correction to avoid costly penalty fees and other inefficiencies for your equipment operation.

It is common for plant maintenance engineers and factory managers to be stumped by penalty fees and how to eliminate them.

Quad Plus’s recent power factor correction study highlighted the importance of understanding and prioritizing power correction.

Read on for everything you need to know about power factor correction, the study, and how to contact a power services expert.

What Is Power Factor?

Electrician on phone below power lines

Power factor is a measure that indicates the ratio of real power (the power equipment needs to operate) to apparent power (also known as reactive power). However, when your power factor is too high or low, it can lead to penalty fees.

For example, if you have a low power factor, you cause strain on the grid. Your utility company instates penalty fees to help you pay attention to your power distribution and consider power factor correction.

Power Factor Correction

Power factor correction capacitors help you avoid paying costly penalty fees and improve the efficiency of your power use. There are a variety of reasons to use power factor correction, including:

  • Reducing carbon footprint
  • Avoiding penalty fees
  • Stabilizing voltage
  • Reducing maximum power
  • Increasing useful kW load without risk

There are many benefits of power factor correction. Sometimes it can be tricky to determine the cause of the high penalty and how to eliminate it. This is why it is important to contact a plant engineer to ensure power factor correction is correctly installed.

Power Factor Correction Study

Quad Plus carried out a power factor correction study to help identify the cause of penalty fees and eliminate them for one of our customers. We used data from their recent power bills to understand the charges and rates. We then identified the best solution with power factor correction.

We found that penalty fees were eliminated as soon as the equipment was installed, and the amount of reactive power flow was reduced. The power factor correction equipment also paid for itself within the year due to the reduced cost of power bills from the utility company.

The results also highlighted the need for power education from a power services expert, so companies can begin to take charge of the costs for their plant or factory.

Identify and Eliminate Costly Penalty Fees

Our recent power factor correction study highlighted how quickly penalty fees can be eliminated. However, plants and factories need support from power experts to find solutions.

The best power factor correction depends on the individual case. A power factor correction study needs to be done to find the best solution for your plant or factory.

Are you looking to identify and eliminate penalty fees fast? Contact Jim Woulf from Quad Plus at (920) 515-4155 or via email at jwoulf@quadplus.com to get the assistance you need.

How the State of Wisconsin Can Prosper, Share and Lead the way Supporting the Approval of Building a New Engineering Building at UW Madison

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UW Madison College of Engineering logo

The Packaging, Paper, Plastics, Printing, Pulp, Converting, Forestry and Supporting Industries are the backbone of the Wisconsin Manufacturing economy with plants located across the State of Wisconsin in BIG Cities and Small Cities! The combined employment exceeds over 150,000 employees!

The approval of the NEW Engineering Building at UW Madison is critical to support and grow our manufacturing base. We have seen 100% support from the Manufacturing Organizations and other supporting organizations. We are asking the Joint Finance and the State to reconsider the inclusion of this critical project in the 2023-2025 capital budget. We congratulate UW Madison for committing to raising $150 million from Private Gifts and Donations, contingent on state support of the project. Delaying this project would mean additional costs upward of $28 million.

Green Bay Innovation Group

Bringing Green Bay Companies Together. Green Bay Innovation Group is committed to building an authentic networking experience where innovation can thrive.

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