Madison, Wis. – September 15, 2016 – Amerequip received the Economic Driver – Small Business Award at the 2nd annual Community and Economic Development Awards banquet, which took place on September 14, 2016, at The Edgewater in Madison, Wis.
The award recognizes a company that continues to invest in their Wisconsin business operations, human capital and communities over a period of years. With facilities in Kiel and New Holstein, Amerequip® is a manufacturer of custom equipment for the lawn, landscape, agricultural and construction markets. The company has experienced five years of incredible growth and success. Just after the recession hit, a local ownership group, comprised of 12 senior managers and a company director, took over the firm. The group made significant investment in workforce development, facilities and equipment. It broadened services while also increasing its international client base. Those efforts have doubled Amerequip’s Wisconsin payroll and tripled revenue while meeting key quality, safety and delivery metrics.
“We are honored to be recognized by WEDA and its community and economic development partners,” says Mike Vander Zanden, president/CEO of Amerequip. “We believe in Wisconsin manufacturing and the Wisconsin workforce. We’re proof that if you are committed to excellence for your customers, your associates and the communities where you’re located, that good things will happen for your company. We share this award with everyone who has played a role in our company. “
The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) and its partner organizations developed the Community and Economic Development Awards program to recognize best practices and economic development-focused groups that are making their community or region a better place to live, work and play.
“WEDA is excited that our program is able to celebrate the dedicated efforts of local, county, regional, state and private organizations in advancing our state’s economy,” says WEDA Executive Director Brian Doudna.
Seven awards were given in six categories: Business Retention and Expansion; Economic Driver (Large and Small); Human Capital; Real Estate Development and Reuse; Economic Development Initiative; and Public-Private Partnership.
Partnering with WEDA to implement the awards program are the Wisconsin League of Municipalities, Wisconsin Counties Association and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
The individual awards were sponsored by: Alliant Energy, Bachmann Construction, Findorff, Green Bay Packers, RDC National, Wisconsin Bank and Trust, Wisconsin Public Service and Xcel Energy.
View videos of this and other 2016 WEDA Community and Economic Development Award winners at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLY-EBEsSGJ2aNta5KhvWpQ .