COOL STUFF PAGES

COOLSTUFF

made and designed in southeastern Wisconsin

The next time you’re driving down the highway or pass a business park full of what might seem like boring, rectangular buildings, take a few minutes to wonder what might be going on inside. Southeastern Wisconsin is home to thousands of manufacturers that make a wide range of products, from generators that keep the power on, to home ventilation products, to delicious pastries. For every one of those companies, there are also dozens or even hundreds of smaller suppliers that help make the final product.

These companies all need employees and offer a chance to build a great career. Take a look at the descriptions below to get a better idea of some local products and a glimpse at some recent job openings at these companies.

MINING EQUIPMENT

KOMATSU MINING | Milwaukee has a long history of building the large shovels and equipment used in mining with companies like Pawling and Harnischfeger and Bucyrus. P&H eventually became Joy Global, which was acquired a few years ago by Komatsu. But the company isn’t leaving. It is in the midst of building a new state-of-the-art headquarters in Milwaukee’s Harbor District that will be used for corporate and manufacturing operations.

JOBS AT KOMATSU MINING

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR: Manages storerooms and transportation functions, including parts and deliveries to internal and external customers. Works with inspectors, receiving clerks, drivers and inspectors, receiving clerks, drivers and warehouse coordinators, among others. warehouse coordinators, among others.

ASSEMBLER II: Follows process design sheets and other specifications, ensures proper torque and tension, other specifications, ensures proper torque and tension, checks incoming and outgoing parts for issues, mounts checks incoming and outgoing parts for issues, mounts and connects equipment, removes small quantities of metal with files or portable grinders, operates overhead metal with files or portable grinders, operates overhead cranes and may operate wheel loaders and forklifts.

LAWN MOWERS AND POWER EQUIPMENT

Metalcraft of Mayville | With locations in Mayville, Beaver Dam and

West Bend, Metalcraft of Mayville is the company behind the Scag Power Equipment brand. It is one of the largest independent manufacturers of commercial mowing equipment in the world. The company makes zero-turn, stand-on and walk-behind mowers, spreaders, sprayers, blowers, and truck zero-turn, stand-on and walk-behind mowers, spreaders, sprayers, blowers, and truck loads. Metalcraft also provides manufacturing for a range of industries including loads. Metalcraft also provides manufacturing for a range of industries including automation, military and mining.

JOBS AT METALCRAFT OF MAYVILLE

LASER OPERATOR : Operates lasers and de-nests parts cut by the laser, and metal finishing, identifying and organizing the laser-cut parts laser, and metal finishing, identifying and organizing the laser-cut parts in a just-in-time fabrication shop. ELECTRICAL ASSEMBLY TECHNICIAN: Assembles and wires ELECTRICAL ASSEMBLY TECHNICIAN: automation control panels, installs and wires on-machine controls equipment (including automation control panels, installs and wires on-machine controls equipment (including sensors, safety devices and motors), and installs and maintains automation systems.

BACKUP GENERATORS

Generac Power Systems | When it was founded in 1959, Generac was the first to engineer affordable home standby generators. Today, the company produces a range of power products, including portable, residential and commercial generators, along with manual and fully automatic transfer switches and accessories for backup applications. Based out of its Town of Genesee headquarters, the company operates five plants across Wisconsin, including in Whitewater, Eagle and Jefferson, and continues to grow to meet the increased need for its products, driven by power outage events and people working from home.

JOBS AT GENERAC POWER SYSTEMS

ASSEMBLER 1: Performs assembly work to manufacture assemblies and products, validating material prior to beginning assembly, reviewing work instructions and building product per specifications. CONTROL ENGINEER - AUTOMATION : Oversees the development, execution and delivery of new control system projects, including automation controls systems design, PLC/HMI programming, troubleshooting and startup commissioning.

KRINGLE

O&H Danish Bakery | Racine-based O&H Danish Bakery sells at least 5,000 kringles per week from its locations in Racine, Sturtevant and Oak Creek. In the holiday season, that figure can be closer to 8,000 of the flakey pastries. The production process takes three days from mixing the dough to packaging and requires attention to not just taste, but also appearance. Kringles come in a variety of flavors from almond to peach to chocolate malt.

JOBS AT O&H BAKERY

BAKERY NIGHT SHIFT PRODUCTION MANAGER: Oversees night shift mixing, makeup, baking, finishing, packaging and distribution. Troubleshoots equipment problems, plans for seasonal production changes, helps develop team leaders and problems, plans for seasonal production changes, helps develop team leaders and addresses personnel performance. TEAM LEAD: Guides department operations and helps team members in daily production. Ensures on-time production and packaging for stores, corporate accounts and mail orders. Proactively addresses bottlenecks and inventory issues.

POWER AND HAND TOOLS

Snap-on Inc. | Kensoha-based Snap-on manufactures professional power and hand tools and equipment used in the transportation industry, such as car dealerships and shops, aviation and aerospace, agriculture and construction. The 101-year-old company, which is based in Kenosha and operates a Milwaukee plant, is one of the largest non-food franchise companies in the world, with company representatives selling its products at their customers’ place of work.

JOBS AT SNAP-ON INC.

ELECTRICIAN: Works with prints and drawings and analyzes circuitry problems; disconnects, replaces and reconnects electric motors; and redesigns and engineers changes in machinery. MACHINE OPERATOR : Sets up, troubleshoots, repairs and operates all machinery in a cell, and assists and trains other cell operators.

SMALL ENGINES AND POWER EQUIPMENT

Briggs & Stratton | Based in Wauwatosa, Briggs & Stratton is one of the Briggs & Stratton is one of the most storied names in Milwaukee manufacturing. Today, the company most storied names in Milwaukee manufacturing. Today, the company supplies the engines used on many lawn mowers, snow blowers and supplies the engines used on many lawn mowers, snow blowers and other power equipment. The company also makes portable and standby generators and other power equipment. The company also makes portable and standby generators and is increasingly moving into battery technology. Beyond Wauwatosa, the company has is increasingly moving into battery technology. Beyond Wauwatosa, the company has facilities in Menomonee Falls and Germantown and several other states.

JOBS AT BRIGGS & STRATTON

SETUP TECHNICIAN HELPER: Trains toward becoming a setup technician by assisting with repairs, preventative maintenance and set up activity. Also performs some production work as needed. FABRICATION OPERATOR: Monitors production equipment, including tube benders and punch presses, checks quality, maintains proper counts, reports scrap and performs other duties as assigned.

CABLE MANAGEMENT PRODUCTS

HellermannTyton North America | Many of HellermannTyton’s products may be small, but they make a big impact in other industries like automotive, data communications and renewable energy. Based in Milwaukee, HellermannTyton North America is a leader in the cable management industry. Its products help run wires through a car, keep internet cables organized and ensure the durability of cables used on solar panels.

JOBS AT HELLERMANNTYTON NORTH AMERICA

MANUFACTURING SHIFT LEADER: Responsible for making sure process technicians and packaging operators are following standard work procedures. Performs daily quality audits, assists in training, advises supervisors and helps address non-conformance issues and other tasks. AUTOMATION TECHNICIAN: Sets up automation equipment, including 4-, 5-, and 6-axis robotics, inspection cameras, laser and sonic welders, bowl feeders, conveying, degating and packaging systems and other custom-built equipment.

EXHAUST FANS

Broan-NuTone | Next time you’re in your bathroom, look at the brand on the exhaust fan. There is a good chance it is a Broan-NuTone product. Based in Hartford, the company’s products, from exhaust vent fans to range hoods to central vacuum systems, help improve residential indoor air quality.

JOBS AT BROAN-NUTONE

TOOL & DIE MAKER: Performs tool room work, including layout, planning and performance of bench and machine operations to construct, alter planning and performance of bench and machine operations to construct, alter or repair tools, dies, jigs, fixtures and gauges used in metal stamping, punch press and assembly operations. SPOT WELDER: Works from drawings and job specifications to perform a variety of weldments on work that could include a number of parts or assemblies.

PET FOOD

Stella & Chewy’s | Natural pet food maker Stella & Chewy’s started in the early 2000s when founder Marie Moody couldn’t find the raw food her dog needed. Since then, the Oak Creekbased company has grown to offer a variety of pet foods using responsibly sourced, premium ingredients with a focus on offering complete and balanced nutrition for pets.

JOBS AT STELLA & CHEWY’S

QUALITY ASSURANCE TECHNICIAN: Monitors production of pet food by performing and recording prescribed tests and taking appropriate action when needed, including metal detector and x-ray tests, monitoring of room temperature and checking effectiveness of plant sanitation.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT MANAGER: Leads and standardizes process improvement and waste elimination activities using data to plan, analyze and interpret operations.

HAIR CLIPPERS AND TRIMMERS

Andis Company | Founded in 1922, Andis Company is a familyowned manufacturer of clippers, trimmers and other hair care products in Sturtevant. The company makes products used by barbers and stylists; pet, equine and livestock groomers; and for consumers to use at home.

JOBS AT ANDIS COMPANY

TOOL DESIGNER: Designs complicated tools, jigs, fixtures, dies, attachments and adapters for machining, assembly, inspection and other applications. Gatekeeper to company’s confidential cutter geometries, collaborates with engineering and machine shop to resolve design problems. CNC MACHINE OPERATOR: Runs a variety of machinery including punch and drill presses, mills and CNC to perform a variety of operations to standardized work. Inspects presses, mills and CNC to perform a variety of operations to standardized work. Inspects work and must have strong mechanical aptitude.