From well-known brands to surprising items, we are delighted to present a few of the exciting things Wisconsinites take pride in designing, assembling and supplying across the globe.

We are lucky to have such a richly productive region of makers. Food and beverage manufacturers have a thriving scene here. We also build lots of STUFF for consumers and industrial customers.

Every company profiled here has jobs for the future, not only in manufacturing and assembly, but also in sales, marketing, engineering, HR, finance, management and other professions. If the company is in your neighborhood, go check out its job board or support the business by trying its products or taking a tour.

GAMES

Who’s up for the arcade? Play a game, redeem your tickets and win a prize! These familiar and fun machines are made by Bay Tek Entertainment. This manufacturer is headquartered in Pulaski, “the heart of the Midwest,” a rural community of 3,500 west of Green Bay. At Bay Tek, employees develop and manufacture ticket redemption games such as Skee-Ball, Big Bass Wheel and Hot Shot. Bay Tek has partnered with GamerGreen, which replaces traditional tickets with virtual currency that allows players to bank their G-Tickets and have prizes shipped to their door.

BRACES

Not all of us are blessed with perfect grins, but American Orthodontics in Sheboygan can help. They produce the instruments, braces and materials orthodontic specialists use to shape up those smiles. American Orthodontics is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of orthodontic treatment supplies, distributed in more than 100 countries. The company was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Sheboygan, with more than 700 employees globally.

FROZEN POTATOES

If you’ve ever craved a curly fry, then you are familiar with McCain Foods. This supplier of frozen potato and snack foods works with many well-known, major national food chains. It began in 1957 in a tiny, rural village in Canada, and today is a leader in the frozen food industry. It has more than 20,000 employees operating from 57 production facilities across six continents, including a plant in the Fox Cities. The company’s customer base includes McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Arby’s and Walmart.

COOKIES

Since 1973, when Rippin’ Good’s factory was established, Ripon has been known as the cookie capital of Wisconsin. The Rippin’ Good plant closed in 2016, but recently Signature Wafers, owned by Simply Natural Foods, reopened the cookie factory there. This reopening in the small Fond du Lac County town created around 30 jobs and brought back the heritage of cookie-making. The plant will produce wafer protein bars and more, but the traditional wafer cookies are its specialty.

PAPER PRODUCTS

Wisconsin is a global leader in the production of specialty papers. Many of the state’s manufacturers are located in the Fox Valley, such as SCA Tissue North America in Menasha, which produces facial and toilet tissue, as well as napkins. During the late 19th century when wood pulp became the primary material used in paper production, the Fox River Valley became a hub. It was an area well-suited for paper production due to its water power, transportation routes and proximity to northern Wisconsin forests. Other specialty paper producers in the area include Kimberly-Clark, Appvion, Georgia-Pacific, Rockline Industries, Appleton Coated and Neenah Paper Co.

PARTY TENTS

If you’ve ever attended an outdoor wedding or reunion, you know there needs to be a plan in case of rain! American Tent & Sidewall of Green Bay has got everyone covered. The supplier of pole tents, frame tents and tent sidewalls uses custom vinyl manufacturing processes (industrial sewing and fabric welding capabilities) for made-to-order products. That means the customer chooses the color, size, design, graphics and finishings. American Tent & Sidewall has been family-owned and operated for more than 20 years.

LAWN AND GARDEN PRODUCTS

Encap lawn kits and flower seed kits are easy to use and environmentally friendly. The ecofriendly Encap products are made at the company’s facility in Green Bay. In 2001, Encap approached FEECO with the idea of taking waste paper sludge, a previously landfilled material, and turning it into lawn and garden products. There are no harmful chemicals to contend with and they are safe for children’s feet and pets’ paws. The products are designed to use less waste and encourage healthy soil. Low environmental impact is the goal of this forward-thinking company.

FURNITURE

KI’s humble first product, the folding chair, came off the line in 1941. The contract furniture manufacturer serves educational, business and government customers.
KI’s products include classroom tables, chairs, stools, lounge and auditorium seating, lobby benches, filing cabinets, and more. Headquartered in Green Bay since 1945, KI established a Manitowoc plant in 1984, where it makes architectural walls, panels systems and desks. Today, KI employs nearly 3,000 people and operates nine manufacturing facilities around the globe.

EMS TRANSPORTERS

In an emergency, an EMT may need something besides the standard stretcher to move a patient. With the input of experienced first responders and engineers, Graham Medical Products of Green Bay designed specialty EMS transporters called MegaMovers. These tools meet patient transport needs when in hostile and unpredictable environments. Graham Medical is a provider of quality single-use medical products, such as table paper, apparel and bedding. Its line of single-use products is designed for convenience, comfort and protection in health care.

GENERATORS

When businesses or homes run out of power in an emergency, they might have to use a generator. And there’s a good chance that generator was made by Generac Power Systems Inc. Since 1959, Generac has been a leading designer and manufacturer of generators and other engine-powered products, such as pressure washers. It has five plants in Wisconsin, including in Oshkosh. Generac generators are designed with durability and innovation in mind. New inverter units conserve fuel and reduce sound, for use in campers, homes and small businesses, on job sites, and in industrial and mobile applications worldwide.

FLEXIBLE PACKAGING

What kind of container did your squeeze snack come in? It may have been designed at Valley Packaging Supply in Green Bay, a leader in the flexible packaging industry. Valley converts convert film into pouches, bags and other packages. Flexible pouches are an alternative to glass, aluminum, plastic and other more rigid materials. Since 1953, VPS has been developing new products for customers. This includes necessary research, layouts and development of the product. With more than 140 employees, VPS has experienced significant growth over its impressive 65-year history.

MUSTARD

What would a hot dog be without the mustard? We will never have to know, thanks to Wisconsin Spice. Founded by Phillip Sass in response to a global mustard shortage back in 1973, Wisconsin Spice now processes more than 40 million pounds of mustard seed yearly and distributes mustard in 30 countries. Uncle Phil’s, its specialty mustard brand, is the official mustard of the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. In 2018, the company expanded operations and opened the Phillip J. Sass Technical Center in Berlin, Wisconsin, which is dedicated to research and development.