Heavy Metal Fabricators is Industry of the Year

Chamber's 'Champions' honors area recipients

By Charlie Mathews, Herald Times Reporter

MISHICOT — Heavy Metal Fabricators was named the Industry of the Year at Tuesday night's "A Celebration of Champions" dinner at Fox Hills Resort sponsored by The Chamber of Manitowoc County.

"We here tonight can help solve the terrible (economic) situation we're in right now," said Dave Wage, owner of Heavy Metal Fabricators, his voice choking with emotion.

Wage said the "stock market was falling off a cliff, unemployment was going through the roof, and economic indicators were headed in the wrong direction," as he was deciding whether to go ahead with a major expansion project last fall. HMF did go forward, to the benefit of several local companies involved in the building project.

"Consumer confidence drives a healthy economy … help your community by being a good and confident consumer … buy that new house, buy that new car," Wage urged.

Heavy Metal Fabricators manufactures large machines and machined weldments for the crane, marine, paper, foundry, petroleum and construction equipment industries. In November 2006, Wage, as president and owner of HMF Innovations, acquired most of the assets of Manitowoc Metal Works, and then renamed the combined business Heavy Metal Fabricators.

In the last two years, HMF's annualized sales have increased more than 300 percent. In the two-year period ending Dec. 31, 2008, HMF has added 40 jobs to the local economy. The company expects to add another 20 jobs in 2009.

It also has made several significant investments, including a $250,000 robotic welding cell to serve the heavy off-road truck axle market.

In 2008, HMF completed a $2.75 million plant expansion. The centerpiece of the expansion was the acquisition of a $1.5 million boring mill system, capable of machine weldments in excess of 30 feet in length.

Also nominated for the award were Jagemann Stamping, Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry, Manitowoc Tool & Machining, Federal-Mogul and LDI Industries.

The Industry of the Year Award was sponsored by Lakeshore Technical College.

Businesses of the Year

Wisconsin Nationwide Companies won the Chamber's Business of the Year award in the category of more than 25 employees. Dave De Rosier started the first company, Wisconsin Nationwide, Inc., in 1987 as a transportation brokerage and consulting service with one employee.

De Rosier thanked his customers, "and our most important asset … our employees. We have a sensational staff at Wisconsin Nationwide," he said.

In 1991, business growth prompted the addition of Wisconsin Nationwide Transportation Inc., a full-service trucking company. The fleet consisted of a single truck. Over the years, the company purchased land in the

Two Rivers Woodland Drive Industrial Park, and built an office and warehouse facility. It has completed several expansion projects.

In 2008, Wisconsin Nationwide Companies' sales grew by 20 percent to $22.2 million. It has a work force of nearly 100 employees, and expects to add five more in 2009. Wisconsin Nationwide Transportation has grown to 50 tractors and 115 trailers.

All of the new semitrailers that Wisconsin Nationwide has put on the road in the past two years have included an ice cream sundae graphic, and proclaim the status of the company's hometown as "Home of the Ice Cream Sundae."

Also nominated for the award were A.C.E. Building Service, Aurora Healthcare, Bank First National, Hamann Construction, Lakeshore Technical College, Shoreline Credit Union and TimeOut Sports Bar & Grill.

Apple Chiropractic Clinics won the Chamber's Business of the Year award in the category of 1 to 25 employees. Owner and chiropractor, Jennifer Rada, said that through the efforts of chiropractor William Seder, and three chiropractic assistants, the business continues to grow, despite a difficult economy.

Rada came to Manitowoc in 2003, and bought the business in 2005. "My first goal was to just not mess it up," she said. "With great advisers and a great community, we have grown, added a doctor and staff, opened a second clinic."In 2008, the clinic created new and improved payment options, offered a zero percent financing program, and increased the number of insurance programs that it is considered to be "in network."

In September, Rada opened a second location, in Two Rivers. Apple Chiropractic Clinics has established relationships with the city of Two Rivers, for a business loan, and with Aurora, for processing any X-rays needed in Two Rivers. The clinics work with many Lakeshore area employers.

Also nominated for the award were Courthouse Pub, CUB Radio, Harborside Restaurant, Kurtz's Pub & Deli, Manitowoc Pharmacies, Pozorski Hauling & Recycling, Saxon Homestead, Schenck Business Solutions, Subway, Tony's Pizza and Westport Bed & Breakfast.

The dinner's title sponsors were Investors Community Bank, Orion Energy Systems and the Herald Times Reporter.

top of page