Training grants

Companies and organizations in southeastern Wisconsin will share $1.5 million in Wisconsin Development Fund awards that were approved at the Dec. 3 meeting of the Wisconsin Development Finance Board.
The following summarizes the successful proposals:
ITO Industries, Inc., Bristol, $76,091 Customized Labor Training (CLT) – ITO Industries is an independent, minority-owned, printed circuit board manufacturer providing single-sided, double-sided and multi-layer circuit boards for use in the medical, telecommunications, and industrial control markets. The company is in the process of a $590,000 expansion project that includes the purchase of a new automated plating system called PAL. The PAL system will increase productivity and decrease costs. To retain current customers, ensure quality control and better market the business, ITO Industries needs to obtain ISO certification. The CLT funds will be used to train 66 existing employees on a new automated plating system and to provide training in preparation for the company’s ISO 9000/2000 certification. The training project will leverage $76,092 in additional private investment.
Phase II Die & Mold Inc., West Bend, $22,063 CLT — Phase II Die & Mold is a contract tool-and-die company specializing in the manufacture of precision molds for the tool-and-die industry. With its extensive CNC machining capabilities, injection molding equipment, and broad array of measurement and test equipment, the company produces stamping dies, fixture work and automotive and cell phone products. To increase its presence in a world market, address customer demands, and improve quality standards, the company is seeking ISO 9001 certification. The CLT funds will be used to train 11 existing employees in preparation for the company’s ISO 9001 certification. The training project will leverage $22,063 in additional private investment.
Rockline Industries, Inc., Sheboygan, $38,600 CLT – Rockline Industries produces private-label coffee filters, baking cups and moistened towelettes and baby wipes. Its newest products include flushable moist wipes for adults and toddlers. The CLT funds will be used to train 64 existing employees and 20 new employees on new chemical mixing equipment. The training project will leverage $38,630 in additional private investment.
Wikk Industries, Inc., Greendale, $15,846 CLT – Wikk Industries designs and manufactures commercial door and frame systems and automatic activating door switches. In order to retain its existing customer base and remain competitive within the industry, Wikk Industries is seeking ISO 9000 Certification. The CLT funds will be used to train 12 existing employees in preparation for the company’s ISO 9000 certification. The training project will leverage $15,846 in additional private investment.
Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity, Inc., Madison, $20,000 Major Economic Development (MED) grant – Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity (WMEP) a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation, is a cooperative venture of industry, labor, education and government established to help small to medium-size companies keep up with new technologies and processes enabling Wisconsin manufacturers to increase productivity and remain competitive. University of Wisconsin Consortium for Global Electronic Commerce (CGEC) is a consortium of university and industry representatives that are collaborating to create, integrate, transfer and apply knowledge of e-commerce and e-business technologies, business processes, and organizational strategies to improve the competitiveness of Wisconsin industry. WMEP and CGEC are working together to develop a pilot project that will demonstrate the importance of collaboration in product development between original equipment manufacturers and suppliers in Wisconsin. The manufacturers and suppliers, in partnership with CGEC and WMEP, have the capacity to develop and implement inter-company new business practices and processes of innovative collaborative product development that will be cost effective. The MED funds will be used to conduct the pilot project. The project will leverage $253,563 in additional private investment.
Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership, Inc., Milwaukee, $150,000 MED Grant – Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership is a nonprofit corporation that helps employers and unions expand and retain employment, upgrade skills, and recruit qualified workers. The MED funds will be used by the company to conduct a three-year pilot project to expand the organization from the southeastern region of the state to other regions around the state. It will connect businesses, unions, and communities to solve workforce issues, concentrating within the machinery, manufacturing, medical devices, papermaking, and printing industries. The project will leverage $337,966 in additional private investment.
Wisconsin Small Engine Consortium, Milwaukee, $125,000 Technology Development Fund (TDF) grant – The Wisconsin Small Engine Consortium (WSEC) is a collaborative effort among Wisconsin companies, the State of Wisconsin, and the University of Wisconsin in the development of experimental, analytic, and computational tools and methodologies that will be beneficial in the design and development of small engines. The WSEC is conducting research and development in meeting current and future emissions standards and improving fuel economy. The TDF funds will be used by the consortium for working capital. The project will leverage $97,774 in additional private investment.
The Department of Commerce staffs the Wisconsin Development Fund. The independent Wisconsin Development Finance Board considers proposals and awards funds. For further information, contact Todd Kearney at the Department of Commerce at 608-266-6675.
Jan. 10, 2003 Small Business Times, Milwaukee