Growth - Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation

Area
INSIDE:
EAU CLAIRE AREA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
www.eauclaire-wi.com
Growth
GSI Commerce Renamed...2 ● IFD Expansion...2 ● Sconnie Foods on Shelves...3 ● New EDC Staff Members...3
Verve
SUMMER 2013
The Spirit of Small Business
DOCUMATION: NEW OWNERSHIP,
NEW LOOK, NEW INVESTMENT
Documation has been a prominent local provider
of printed materials since it was founded in
Eau Claire in 1994. At that time, the company
positioned itself as “America’s Association
Printer.” Over the years, the company has
diversified its client base to include publishing
houses, direct mail marketing and commercial
print nationwide. Today, under the leadership
of new owner Brad Stuckert, the company is
investing in new technology and refocusing its
mission to provide more innovative, quality products
and services to clients.
Stuckert, a 16 year veteran at Documation,
purchased the company in October of 2012.
With this experience, he has been able to quickly
enhance the focus of the company, starting with a
new logo (pictured) and a new mission.
Documation’s new mission is to “Become a
world class digital information provider driven
by exceeding customer expectations utilizing
progressive technology and best practices.” As
Stuckert states, “It is very important to give our
customers the best we have, to exceed their
expectations, while continuing to expand with
new technology.”
Consistent with this new mission, one of Stuckert’s
first initiatives as owner, has been to invest in
new technology. The company is updating its
equipment to be completely digital with the latest
Hewlett-Packard equipment. In the near future,
See DOCUMATION on page 2
$1,500 awarded to thor attachments
in the idea challenge 2013
John Gustafson of THOR Attachments received the first awards in The
Idea Challenge 2013. Gustafson was presented a $500 cash award and
a business support award worth $1,000 for his product idea, the THOR
Mini Quick-TachTM. He will have the
opportunity to compete in December
for The Idea Challenge grand prize
worth $5,000.
The THOR Mini Quick-TachTM is a
universal quick-attach system for
sub-compact utility tractors that
allows the operator to switch from
one attachment to another safely and
securely in a matter of seconds. The
THOR Mini Quick-TachTM product
line includes several attachments
THOR Mini Quick-TachTM Universal
such as a fork, snow blade, ballast
Quick-Attach System
box, tree spade, ripper, scoop, land
leveler, utility box, boom-lift, and a carry-all. The tractor’s original loader
bucket can be retrofitted and used with the THOR system. Receiver plates
are available for individuals who would like to build their own attachments.
There is a patent pending on this product.
Gustafson thought of the idea as he watched the universal skid steer
adapter for full-size utility tractors grow in popularity. As Gustafson
states “we thought that sub-compact tractors could benefit from a similar
concept built specifically for the sub-compact size and weight. Most
sub-compact tractor loaders come standard with a pin-on bucket and that’s
all. Attachments aren’t available for many of these tractors. The THOR
Mini Quick-TachTM system allows an operator to install a quick-attach
coupler to the loader arms or 3-point hitch of the tractor and quickly and
easily use a variety of attachments.”
THOR Attachments’ next step is to increase the scale of manufacturing
for the THOR Mini Quick-TachTM product line. To accomplish this, the EDC
and the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire Small Business Development
Center are working to solidify investor relationships for this product. If you
are interested in becoming an investor, contact the EDC at (715) 834-0070
or visit www.eauclaire-wi.com.
EA U CLAIRE AREA ECONOMIC DE V ELO P MENT COR P ORATION
GSI COMMERCE BECOMES
eBAY ENTERPRISES!
indianhead foodservice distributOR
inc. EXPANSION
GSI Commerce, which has operated a call center
located in Eau Claire since 2006, is now officially
named eBay Enterprises. Two years ago, GSI
Commerce joined eBay Inc. as one of eBay’s three
main business units.
This spring, Indianhead Foodservice Distributor, Inc. (IFD) broke ground
on phase one of a $4.5 million warehouse expansion project. This project
will position the company to grow its diverse product line and continue
its geographic expansion in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. Phase one
includes the construction of a 30,000 square foot dry goods warehouse
addition. Phase two is scheduled to begin in 2015 with the construction
of a freezer warehouse addition that will include corporate offices for
operations and logistics personnel. This project is expected to create up
to 50 new jobs.
The company decided to change its name to
better reflect its business today, which it defines
as: a strong enterprise commerce partner of
choice for retailers and brands, backed by the
full capabilities of eBay Inc., a global commerce
platform and payments leader. According to
Chris Saridakis, President of eBay Enterprises,
“The name eBay Enterprises reflects the power
of our portfolio to deliver what retailers and
brands want from a partner in an omnichannel
commerce environment.”
FALL CREEK TID #1 AMENDED
On April 16th, the Joint Review Board approved
an amendment to Fall Creek’s Tax Incremental
Financing District (TID) #1. This amendment
expanded the boundaries of the TID to include
an additional 41.76 acres located adjacent to the
original TID. This additional land is composed of
four parcels; two parcels owned by the Village of
Fall Creek, one owned by the Fall Creek School
District, and one owned by a private party. The
original TID was created on April 3, 2000 and was
21.8 acres in size.
The Village of Fall Creek plans to invest up to $1.12
million in the expanded TID for improvements
on road, sewer, water, park drainage, and
site preparation.
The EDC worked with the Village of Fall Creek
to coordinate public presentations, meetings
and project plan activities. The Project Plan and
Territory Amendment were written by the West
Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.
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715.834.0070
“The expansion of our
warehouse will provide the
space needed to continue
adding new items relevant
to our customer base
and maintain the superior
level of quality service our
customers expect,” said
Tom Gillett, president of IFD.
The EDC assisted IFD in
securing $220,000 in tax
IFD Corporate Headquarters
credits from the Wisconsin
Economic Development
Corporation to support the expansion. The tax credits will be distributed
annually in direct relation to the number of jobs retained and created over
a three-year period.
Indianhead Foodservice Distributor, Inc. provides wholesale foods
and supplies to a variety of industries including full and quick service
restaurants, healthcare institutions, schools, colleges/universities, day
cares, taverns and government facilities. The company services over
1,200 accounts per week, ships out 27 trucks daily and delivers more
than 9 million pounds per month.
DOCUMATION (on page 1)
Documation will be fully automated from file preparation to digital printing
and finishing. This investment will allow the company to provide more
tailored solutions to manage, create, produce and distribute printed
materials and digital-media products. “In addition,” states Stuckert “we
have several technology-driven services to help our clients stay current
in the continuously growing
world of technology.”
Over the past year, the
company has expanded its
workforce by 20% and now
employs 96 full-time and 8
part-time associates. When
asked what the future holds
for Documation, Stuckert
says “My vision is to double
the size of the company
with continued cutting-edge
Documation Corporate Headquarters
equipment and technology,
which will lead to customer growth and job security for our employees.
Our future goals include wide-format printing and starting an apprentice
program for hiring and training employees.”
w w w . e a u c l a i r e - w i . c o m Sconnie Foods’ Squeezable
Sauerkraut Now on Shelves!
Sconnie Food’s Squeezable Sauerkraut, winner of The Idea Challenge
2012, is now available through two major local outlets! Gordy’s County
Markets began stocking the condiment at all ten locations just before
the 4th of July holiday. The
product is also offered at
Carson Park’s concession
stands. “My product makes
sauerkraut easier to use and
conveniently take along to
outings and social gatherings
without the mess, hassle
and waste. Seeing it being
sold at Gordy’s makes all
the hard work of launching a
product well-worth it!” stated
Tracey Lundberg with the Gordy’s Guru at
Tracy Lundberg, President of
Sconnie Foods’ retail launch
Sconnie Foods.
Wisconsin-based Sconnie Foods is
committed to making favorite condiments
better by offering the same taste
more conveniently. As the label on the
Squeezable Sauerkraut states, there is
“less waste, less mess, less hassle” –
giving their consumers a more portable
and sanitary option for picnics, tailgating,
cookouts and more.
Regarding The Idea Challenge, Tracey
states, “winning the Idea Challenge
accelerated the launch of Sconnie Foods
Squeezable Sauerkraut.” The company
has a patent pending on this product.
Sconnie Foods’
Squeezable Sauerkraut
For more information about Sconnie
Foods and Squeezable Sauerkraut, visit
http://sconniefoods.com/
SUMMER 2013
WELCOME NEW EDC
STAFF MEMBERS
Christina Wasson has joined
the EDC as the full-time
marketing manager. Wasson
brings over eight years of
marketing and coordinating
experience and most recently
worked at the University of
Wisconsin-Stout as a student
services coordinator. In her
new role, Wasson will be
Christina Wasson,
responsible for investor
Marketing Manager
relationship management,
website management, and coordination of business
recruitment campaigns.
The EDC converted the marketing manager
position to a full-time role in response to improved
economic conditions nationally`. With more staff time
dedicated to marketing, the EDC will be able to
enhance business recruitment efforts and further
advance its mission.
Angie Niska, Strategic
Communications
Manager
IDEA CHALLENGE DEADLINE APPROACHING!
Brittany Menor,
Graphic Design Intern
Angie Niska, who was
previously the part-time
marketing manager for the
EDC, will now serve as
strategic communications
manager. In this new role,
Niska will focus on strategic
projects
and
creating
communication efforts that
build the EDC’s brand and
enhance awareness of the
corporation’s mission and
activities.
Brittany Menor also recently
joined the EDC as the
graphic design intern. Brittany
is from Marinette, WI and
is currently a student at
UW-Stout. She is interested
in branding, publication and
web design. Menor plans
to graduate in December,
2014 with a BFA in Graphic
Design & Interactive Media
and a minor in Business
Administration.
Apply for The Idea Challenge 2013 by October 1!
Visit theideachallenge.com to apply today.
715.834.0070
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Eau Claire Area Economic
Development Corporation
101 N. Farwell Street, Suite 101
P.O.Box 1108
Eau Claire, WI 54702
[email protected]
www.eauclaire-wi.com
715.834.0070
Brian Doudna, Executive Director
Luke Hanson, Project Manager
Christina Wasson, Marketing Manager
Angie Niska, Strategic Communications Manager
Pat Trowbridge, Office Manager
Brittany Menor, Graphic Design Intern
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