Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry wins special ‘MOTY’ award

Manitowoc manufacturer one of 8 companies to win

Herald Times Reporter

MANITOWOC — Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry was one of eight companies Thursday evening receiving 2009 Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year awards for outstanding achievements in manufacturing.

WAF, 1931 S. 14th St., received an Industry Perseverance award at the black-tie dinner at The Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee.

The downtown foundry is a previous recipient of awards from Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, which co-sponsors the statewide recognition program with Baker Tilly, an accounting firm, and Michael Best & Friedrich, a law firm.

“We have nominated them for these awards, and they have won them because they have deserved them,” said Mark Maurer, market president-Southeast Wisconsin, for the foundry’s financial institution, Heartland Business Bank.

MOTY recognizes Wisconsin companies that demonstrate a commitment to business excellence that has a positive impact on the company and state.

“Throughout their history as a manufacturer of nonferrous castings, pressure cookers and medical sterilizers, Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry has been an important employer in Manitowoc County,” stated a WMC news release.

It also stated: “They are family owned and consistently provide the finest quality products for their customers — both domestic and international. In their 100 years in business, Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry has outperformed others in their industry through innovation and best practices.

Their implementation of lean manufacturing through cell concepts and robotics has increased productivity by 30 percent. Continuous improvement has allowed the company to successfully compete in the foundry industry — an industry that is becoming more international in nature every day.

“By continually investing in new technology and processes, they have been able to solidify existing customer relationships, and garner new ones, successfully facing the challenges that American manufacturers and their employees are encountering from increased global competition.”

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