Published: July 25, 2018
37 Wisconsin companies awarded Foxconn contracts
Nine from Waukesha County; three each from
Washington, Ozaukee counties
By Nicholas Dettmann
ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043
WEST BEND — For the largest project ever to
come to Wisconsin, why not be a part of it any way they can?
That’s the mindset for several companies
throughout Wisconsin as the Foxconn project in Racine County gets going.
On Tuesday, 37 companies — all with operations
in Wisconsin — were awarded contracts to be involved in constructing a
multipurpose building at Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park. Among
those companies, three are from Washington and Ozaukee counties and nine are
from Waukesha County.
“We’re delighted and honored to be a part of
it,” said Mike Pilgrim, president of Systems LLC in Germantown. “We’re ecstatic
that they got Systems involved, a Wisconsin-based company.”
In May, Foxconn announced 27 Wisconsinbased
companies were selected to perform site preparation at its display
manufacturing facility being built in Mount Pleasant, near Racine. Among those
was Michels Corp. in Brownsville.
“We have many skill trades in this area,” said
Mary Kinateder, president of KMI Construction Inc., in Brookfield. “For
(Foxconn) to utilize the talent of our men and women in this area is a good
thing.”
Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha county companies
The Washington County companies selected were
(with specialty): ASC Pumping Equipment in West Bend (fire protection pumping
equipment), Professional Systems Analysis Inc. in Germantown (test and balance)
and Systems (loading dock equipment).
The Ozaukee County companies selected were
(with specialty): HVA Products Inc. in Mequon (gas unit heaters and air
curtains), Paul Reilly Co. in Mequon (overhead sectional doors) and SiteOne
Landscape Supply in Mequon (irrigation material supplier).
The Waukesha County companies selected were
(with specialty): Builders Hardware in Menomonee Falls (hollow metal doors,
frames, hardware supplier), Halquist Stone in Sussex (decorative stone),
Johnson’s Nursery in Menomonee Falls (plant material supplier), Kevco Inc. in
New Berlin (caulking), KMI Construction, Precise Contractors Inc. in Brookfield
(excavation), Scott’s Pressure Washing Services in Muskego (final
panel washing), Vyron Corp. in Waukesha (make
up air units) and Wolter Power Systems, a division of Wisconsin Lift Truck
Corp. in Brookfield (generator supplier).
In the last month, Foxconn announced
facilities to be built in Green Bay and Eau Claire.
“Today’s announcement reflects Foxconn’s
continued commitment to a ‘Wisconsin First’ plan by working with companies all
across the state,” said Dr. Louis Woo, special assistant to Foxconn founder and
CEO Terry Gou in a news release. “We are proud all of these companies have
Wisconsin operations, and it is good to see that many are from Southeast Wisconsin,
as well as some from the Madisonarea, the Fox Valley and West Central
Wisconsin.
“Part of the reason we selected Wisconsin is
the quality of workmanship we find here. We look forward to our continued
partnership with companies here as we invest $10 billion and create 13,000 jobs
that will pay an average of $53,875 annually.”
The multipurpose building is a 120,000
square-foot facility and the first building being constructed on the Foxconn
campus. The structure will serve as office space for construction companies
building the Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park. It will also house
research and development facilities focusing on advanced display technology and
applications in all aspects of smart lives. It will contribute to the
development of the AI 8K+5G ecosystem that Foxconn is building across the
state.
Systems and KMI
“This is a small start for what they have
planned long-term,” Pilgrim said. “Getting in on the ground floor like this
allows us to prove ourselves and grow.”
Systems was founded in 1961 and its common
clients include grocery, trucking, retail or warehousing and distribution. It’s
based in Germantown, but also has a facility in Malvern, Arkansas.
In 2017, the company was bought by Chamberlain
Group.
Systems’ brands include Poweramp, DLM Docks,
McGuire and Allied Dock Solutions.
Systems employs more than 260 people, such as
machinists and welders and most are in Wisconsin.
KMI Construction was founded in 2011.
“I think we are a company that we feel has the
best skilled masons and laborers,” Kinateder said. “Contractors want to use us.
We do great work.”
KMI will provide the mason work for this phase
of the Foxconn project.
“I think it says a lot for Foxconn for using
the area businesses,” Kinateder said. “So why not utilize the trades in this
area?”
More information sessions planned
A second round of informational sessions are
planned for constructionrelated companies in southeastern Wisconsin that want
to learn more about becoming a vendor, subcontractor, supplier or professional
service provider for the Foxconn project.
Hosted by the Wisconsin Economic Development
Corporation, Gilbane Building Company and M+W Group, the two sessions will take
place Aug. 1 at Gateway Technical College’s SC Johnson iMET Center, 2320
Renaissance Blvd., Sturtevant.
For the first session, registration is 11:30
a.m.-noon, followed by the informational session from noon-1:30 p.m. For the
second session, registration is 2:30-3 p.m., followed by the information
session from 3-4:30 p.m.
An update on the construction schedule with a
focus on the next 12 months and a detailed timeline for the next anticipated
round of bidding will be provided. Representatives will also explain how the
project is being broken down into smaller segments to allow smaller companies opportunities
to participate as part of the “Wisconsin First” approach.
Representatives from WEDC, Gilbane Building
Company, and M+W Group will be available to answer questions about the project
and the opportunities available to Wisconsin companies. The sessions are free,
but registration is required at www.wisconnvalley.wi.gov.
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