American Transmission Company
W234 N2000 Ridgeview Parkway Court, Waukesha
Industry: Electric utility
Annual Revenue: $556.7 million for 2010
Employees: 540
American Transmission Company started with just one employee in 2001 and has grown to become a national leader in the electric transmission industry.
The company monitors 9,440 miles of transmission lines, 515 substations and numerous power sources throughout the region, and also owns, operates, manufactures and maintains the high voltage electric transmission systems that serve parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan.
According to Mary Carpenter, senior local relations representative for ATC, individual electricity usage continues to rise annually despite the poor economy.
Today the average American home has closer to 25 devices plugged in and the need for electric system reliability is greater than ever, she said. Thirty years ago, homes had only an average of three devices plugged in at any given time.
Today, ATC is a $2.9 billion company that has six office locations and about 540 employees. ATC provides 5,000 direct and indirect jobs for Americans creating an estimated $3 billion economic impact to the area, Carpenter said.
While ATC monitors energy flow around the clock, it is constantly looking ahead to plan for future electric needs. ATC looks at electric usage patterns, population trends and business development to determine the transmission needs of the future.
While consumer convenience is important, safety and security is another huge factor in the importance of monitoring electric transmission. Hospitals, banks and other public facilities require reliable electricity to maintain security, Carpenter said.
ATC recently embarked on a joint venture with North Carolina-based Duke Energies, which it hopes will allow it to expand services outside of the four-state area it currently operates in.
