results of manufacturer/supplier relationship...

Mid-State Technical College

Results of

Manufacturer/Supplier

Relationship Survey December 2008

1

The MSTC Marketing Research students during the fall 2007 semester, partnered with the Heart of Business and Economic Alliance’s Manufacturing Cluster to develop a Manufacturer/Supplier Relationship Survey. Under the direction of Debby Wallner, marketing and business instructor, the students developed the questionnaire and analyzed the results. This report is the accomplishment of the following students:

Cynthia Barton Lynda Broschardt Abbie Clark Shawn Dewitt William Dinga Marilyn Draxler Melissa Edict Marc Enerson Joshua Ferk Carrisa Irwin Jessica Jelinski Amy Keyes Jessica Kugel Lindsay Madsen Ross Miller Derek Nelson Catherine Porter Rachel Stevens Janice Vanden Heuvel Leah Weiler

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Table of Contents

Managerial Summary ......................................................................................... 3

Question Discussion ........................................................................................... 6

Findings and Conclusions ................................................................................ 36

Recommendations ........................................................................................... 37

Addendum ........................................................................................................... i

Bibliography ..................................................................................................... xvi

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Managerial Summary

Research Objective

Discover the needs and perceptions of Wisconsin Rapids area manufacturers in regards to selecting supplier goods and services.

Design and Methodology

Manufacturers in the Wisconsin Rapids area and the surrounding counties were given the opportunity to express their opinions about their relationship with their suppliers. The data and the results of the two strata‟s were sent to the carefully selected manufacturers are contained within this report.

Population of Interest

The population included manufacturers in Wisconsin Rapids and surrounding counties to discover their perceptions on selecting suppliers of goods and services. However, this population consists of only 105 manufactures. The class, with the approval of the Heart of Wisconsin Business and Economic Alliance, added a second strata of one hundred manufactures in surrounding counties.

Data Collection Method and Sample Plan

The method of data collection chosen for this research project was a mailed survey. This method gathers the most information in a short period of time.

The confidence level to the survey is 95% with a confidence interval of ±6.9%. A stratified sampling plan was selected as the best method. Two strata groups were identified; Strata One included manufacturers from Portage, Wood and Adams County where Strata Two included manufacturers from Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, and Vilas. Strata Two‟s sample frame included 450 manufacturers. A random sampling method was utilized to select the manufacturers from this strata.

To increase the return rate, the class telephoned manufacturers from the sample frame to verify address and contact information. Because of the nature of questions on the survey, it was important to have the respondent understand and have knowledge of supplier issues in their company. Therefore, a contact name was essential.

A total of 212 surveys were mailed to surrounding manufacturers. Out of those 212 surveys, 68 were received. Eleven surveys were returned due to an administrative error. Therefore, 201 surveys successfully received. The survey had a 34% response rate where 54 responses from Strata I (80%) and 14 responses from Strata II (20%).

4

Summary of Findings and Conclusions

Local manufacturers believe that central Wisconsin suppliers are competitive in various categories. Knowledgeable staff ranked the most competitive attribute of local suppliers.

Price is a concern to manufactures. When asked if price was a factor, 94% agreed that it was. Ninety-eight percent use price as an important factor when selecting a supplier.

Area manufacturers believe that customer service is more important than price when selecting suppliers.

Sixty-five percent of manufactures are unaware of local suppliers. However, the manufactures believe that the local area suppliers would be able to meet their needs of products and services.

An increase in the percentage of suppliers selected outside the area does not change the perception on how competitive the supplier is compared to the rest of the nation.

Online ordering is utilized by a majority of local manufacturers. The main benefits identified were 24/7 contact, a more efficient method and provides for quicker product delivery.

5

Recommendations

Relationship marketing is an important criterion. Half of the respondents stated that suppliers are involved in aiding their company in making quality business decisions. Local suppliers need to have a knowledgeable staff with good customer service skills.

Strive to keep a quality product at a competitive price. Staying knowledgeable on business trends is important in building the relationship with local manufacturers.

Local suppliers need to get their name out to manufacturers. Making sure to research manufacturer‟s needs and use personal selling techniques to do so. The perception of manufactures in relation to local suppliers shows that as long as manufactures are able and aware of local suppliers they are willing to take advantage of the local suppliers‟ services.

Utilize technology to grow sales. Invest in technological infrastructure will aid in gaining local business and as well as business outside the area.

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Question 1

Are you involved in the process of reviewing and selecting suppliers for your company?

Reviewing and Selecting Suppliers

Yes 67 99%

No 1 1%

Total 68 100%

For our introductory question, 99% of respondents stated that they were the person involved with reviewing and selecting suppliers. After reviewing the survey from the person who answered negatively, we concluded that the answers were still acceptable. It is possible that the respondent did not have the authority to switch suppliers as he or she saw necessary.

99%

1%

Reviewing and Selecting Suppliers

Yes

No

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Question 2

Approximately, how many suppliers does your company currently utilize?

How many suppliers does your company currently utilize?

Number of Responses

Percentage of Respondents

1-500 54 79%

501-1000 10 15%

1001-2000 1 1%

2001-5000 1 1%

5001-10,000 1 1%

10,000 + 1 1%

Total 68 100%

The majority of the respondents indicated that their manufacturing facilities have fewer than five hundred suppliers. The national trend indicates that businesses are choosing fewer suppliers for their supply chain. According to the Hackett Group research, since 1996, companies are reducing the number of suppliers to make their cost cuts more effective. For example Hackett‟s Group says, “…by reducing the number of suppliers from 20,000 to 10,000, companies can net more that 2.4 million in savings/billion of spending.” Based on the data local manufacturers seem to be following the national trend of cutting back on the number of suppliers they use to help save money.

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Question 3

Do you have any special requirements for your current suppliers?

Special Requirements of Suppliers Responses Percentages

Supplier Training

22 18%

Technology Infrastructure

13 11%

Vendor Management Software 9 8%

Special Licensing or Certification

18 15%

Quality Certification

22 18%

None

31 26%

Other 4 3%

Total 119 100%

(The four “others” responses are as follow; Internal supplier approval process, Supplier guides, Supplier

score card annual goal 3.5/5.0, Safety/PSM.)

05

101520253035

Special Requirements of Suppliers

9

The national trend indicates that more businesses are seeking suppliers that have obtained special licenses or certification to help them stand behind their products. Two-thirds of our respondents agreed that they are more prone to choose a supplier who has specialized training or has certification. However 26% of our respondents did say that they do not require certification or special training from their suppliers. The respondents chose quality certification, supplier training, and special licensing or certification as the most important traits they look for in a supplier.

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Question 4

Where do you locate information about new suppliers?

Location of Information of New

Suppliers Number of

Respondents Percentage

of Respondents

Supplier Salesperson 61 28%

Trade shows 38 17%

Magazines/publications 31 14%

Word of mouth 48 22%

Advertisements 25 11%

Other 17 8%

Total 220 100%

The majority of respondents located their information for new suppliers from supplier salespeople and word of mouth. This seems to indicate that personal relationships with the suppliers are of importance. In the other category, locations for information on new suppliers included customer requirement and the internet.

010203040506070

61

3831

48

2517

Location of Information

11

Question 5

Do you order supplies on-line?

Ordering On-line

Yes 43 64%

No 24 36%

Total 67 100%

In this technological day and age, more and more businesses are ordering on-line. Being able to order products on-line is saving businesses time and money. Over half of the respondents order products on-line proving that this is a growing trend.

There are a total of 68 respondents to this survey, 67 out of 68 responded to question 5.

64%

36%

Ordering On-line

Yes

No

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Question 6

If your company utilizes online ordering, how do you believe that it impacts your business?

Decreases Costs of Supplier Products/ Services

Allows for 24/7 Contact

Decreases Errors

Provides Quicker Product Delivery

Increases Efficiency

Yes 13 30 20 29 35

No 11 9 11 6 3

Unsure 15 4 10 6 5

Total 39 43 41 41 43

A majority of local manufacturers agreed that online ordering has helped to minimize stress on their company. Forty-three out of a total 68 respondents are currently utilizing the fastest growing technology of the web and its many functions.

Businesses around the world are utilizing electronic commerce as a major tool in expanding and developing their business and communicating with their clients. Three major expansions are occurring as the web expands.

1. Customer Service – online support for customers is available 24-7, it could be with a live person, or via e-mail.

2. Communication – contact information is available on most websites, including e-mail addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers, etc.

3. Promotion – the internet opens a lot of doors for companies to promote products and services, without having to deal with a middle man

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Unsure

No

Yes

Online Ordering

Decreases Costs of Supplier Products/ ServicesAllows for 24/7 Contact

Decreases Errors

Provides Quicker Product Delivery

Increases Efficiency

13

A survey of professional purchasers developed by Purchasing Online magazine had results consistent with what we received. “Faster sourcing, new sources of supply, improved comparison shopping, lower overall operating costs, lower prices paid, more control over spending and inventory, and more efficient use of sourcing personnel” were the major benefactors as stated by those surveyed. 1

By expanding online, suppliers are able to be more innovative because they will receive more feedback from more customers. Customers are more likely to leave feedback in an e-mail, than to write a letter or make a phone call. With websites that specify in surveying consumers, companies can get a better look at what consumers are buying and what they are looking for in products.

The graph also states that 69% of respondents feel that ordering online increases delivery efficiency. In an article in Industry Week magazine about the best manufacturing plants of 2006, Jill Jusko writes about how the top plants utilize technology to increase efficiency. The number one plant reduced manufacturing cycle times by 26%, order-to-shipment times have reduced 24% and their on-time delivery is at 99%.2

Technology changes the infrastructure of markets across the globe. As technological advancements continue, businesses need to take advantage of what those advancements can bring to a company. The primary reasoning for technological advancements is for convenience; the easier it is for people to get what they want the more likely they are to make a purchase. Some examples of how other companies are using technology include: Papa John‟s accepting text messages for orders,3 UPS and their whiteboard campaign where people/ businesses can intercept packages that don‟t need to be shipped,4 and through a personal interview with an Alltel store Manager, cell phones that can provide internet access to computers.5

1 E-Purchasing for Businesses 2 High Achievers Magazine 3 Capital Newspaper 4 United Parcel Services 5 Alltel Cellular Services

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Question 7

How important are the following in the selection process of a new supplier? – Quality of Supplier Product/Service

Quality of Supplier Product/Service Responses Percentage

Extremely Important 62 91%

Important 6 9%

Neutral 0 0%

Unimportant 0 0%

Extremely Unimportant 0 0%

Total 68 100%

The quality of supplier products and services are very important in day to day business. All manufacturers rated this important or extremely important.

According to Ray Carter‟s top 10 C‟s to Supplier Selection, the Commitment to Quality ranks sixth on the list of ten. This indicates that the qualities of a supplier‟s products and/or services are a high priority in selecting suppliers. The factors that are looked at before the selection is made are: quality control, quality standards, and the history of relationships with pervious buyers.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Extremely Important

Important Neutral Unimportant Extremely Unimportant

Quality of Supplier Product/Service

15

Question 7

How important are the following in the selection process of a new supplier? – Location of Supplier Business

Location of Supplier Business Responses Percentage


Important 29 43%

Neutral 25 37%

Unimportant 10 15%


Total 67 100%

According to the responses received regarding the location of the supplier, manufacturers believe that location is a somewhat important aspect. According to Ray Carter‟s top 10 C‟s to Supplier Selection, the cost and price can be additional shipping costs when the supplier is farther away from the business. At least 43% of manufactures were concerned about the location of the manufactures, cost and time of shipping over a long distance. Also, a timely response rate by the supplier could be included in the concerns of these manufactures.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Extremely Important


Location of Supplier Business

16

Question 7

How important are the following in the selection process of a new supplier? – Cost of Supplier Product/Service

Cost of Suppliers Product/Service Responses Percentage


Important 24 35%

Neutral 1 1%

Unimportant 0 0%


Total 68 100%

Cost is a considerable factor in selection of supplier product/service. Sixty-three percent of respondents said that cost of supplier is extremely important and the other 35% said that it was important. Only 1% was neutral when it came to cost of supplier product/service.

According to the Ray Carter‟s top 10 C‟s to Supplier Selection, the cost of suppliers is five on the list of ten. Manufacturers want suppliers to have reasonable, competitive prices without cutting corners on quality or safety.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Extremely Important


Cost of Supplier Product/Service

17

Question 7

How important are the following in the selection process of a new supplier? - Supplier Customer Service

Supplier Customer Service Responses Percentage


Important 25 38%

Neutral 4 6%

Unimportant 0 0%


Total 66 100%

The graph and table above indicate that more than half of the respondents agreed that supplier customer service is important to their business. Relationship marketing and good customer service are being seen nationally as good business practices.

56%

38%

6%

0% 0%

Supplier Customer Service

Extremely Important

Important

Neutral

Unimportant

Extremely Unimportant

18

Question 7

How important are the following in the selection process of a new supplier? – Knowledgeable Supplier Personnel

Knowledgeable Supplier Personal

Respondents of

Knowledgeable Supplier Personal

Percentage of Knowledgeable

Supplier Personal


Important 30 44%

Neutral 4 6%

Unimportant 0 0%


Total 68 100%

Knowledgeable supplier personnel are extremely important. According to our survey 94% of the respondents felt that the supplier should be very knowledgeable about the products they were producing for manufacturers. It is important for supplier personnel to know about changes or delays with any type of product.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Extremely Important


Knowledgeable Supplier Personnel

19

Question 7 How important are the following in the selection process of a new

supplier? – Amount of Product Offerings

Amount of Product Offerings Responses Percent


Important 24 35%

Neutral 28 41%

Unimportant 11 16%


Total 68 100%

According to the graph above, more than 40% of the respondents agree that the amounts of products offered by manufacturers are important to supplier demands. Sixteen percent of the respondents said it was unimportant and 41% were neutral. Manufacturers are diligently decreasing administrative costs and paperwork. When manufacturers are able to purchase multiple products from one supplier they will save time and money. Moreover, products from the same supplier may have added benefits of integration and easier application.

Amount of Product Offerings

Extremely Important

Important

Neutral

Unimportant

Extremely Unimportant

20


supplier? – Flexibility of Product Customization

Flexibility of Product Customization Responses Percent


Important 28 42%

Neutral 23 34%

Unimportant 7 10%


Total 67 100%

More than 50% of businesses concur that product customization is important when they are seeking new suppliers. Approximately 10% feel that it is unimportant and 34% are neutral.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Extremely Important

Important

Neutral

Unimportant

Extremely Important

Flexibility of Product Customization

21


supplier? – Supplier Technology Infrastructure

Supplier Technology Infrastructure Responses Percent


Important 33 49%

Neutral 24 35%

Unimportant 4 6%


Total 68 100%

Fifty-six percent of respondents find that when selecting a new supplier, technology infrastructure is important. Only three percent of businesses find it extremely unimportant. There were 68 respondents to this question. The majority of businesses that find this important are ones with a small number of suppliers and work in the metalworking field. Technology is helping merchants and suppliers stay on top of the business by creating software that allows them to monitor and calculate labor, inventory, transportation and efficiency. Businesses can get supplies ordered and delivered in a timely manner because of modern technology. Supplier Technology Infrastructure is an important aspect of doing business today.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Extremely Important


Importance of Supplier Technology Infrastructure

22


supplier? – Environmental Awareness

Environmental Awareness Responses Percent


Important 26 38%

Neutral 31 46%

Unimportant 0 0%


Total 68 100%

In general, businesses want suppliers to be environmentally aware about the products that they supply, how supplies are transported, and how the supplies are made. According to the graphs 38% of the respondents felt it was important to be environmentally aware. Businesses want supplies and the way they are transported to be safe to the environment. The majority of businesses that find this important are ones with small number of suppliers and work in the engineering and forest products/paper fields.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Extremely Important


Environmental Awareness

23


supplier? – Responsiveness to Business Needs

Responsiveness to Business Needs Responses Percent


Important 25 37%

Neutral 2 3%

Unimportant 0 0%


Total 67 100%

As supply chains continue to develop and mature, more intense collaboration between customers and suppliers occur. According to the graphs 97% of the respondents find it important for suppliers to be responsive to business needs. The ultimate goal of collaboration is to increase visibility throughout the supply chain.

Responsiveness to Business Needs

Extremely Important

Important

Neutral

Unimportant

24

Question 7

How important are the following in the selection process of a new supplier? – Knowledge of Local Business

Forty-three percent responded that knowledge of local business operations is important. The graph above states that 33 out of 68 businesses are neutral when it comes to knowledge of local business operations.

From the Harvard Business Review, July/August 1994: “Active collaboration takes place when companies develop mechanisms, structures, processes, and skills for bridging organizational and interpersonal differences and achieving real value from the partnership. Multiple ties at multiple levels ensure communication, coordination and control...more communication than anyone anticipated is necessary.”

05

101520253035

14 15

33

51

Knowledge of Local Business

Knowledge of local business operations Responses Percent


Important 15 22%

Neutral 33 49%

Unimportant 5 7%


Total 68 100%

25

Question 8

Indicate your agreement level with the following statements as they pertain to your business relationships with your suppliers

Options Strongly

Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree Total

Customer Service is more important than price when selecting suppliers 9 31 19 6 2 67

Long-Term supplier relationships are important to the success of my business 27 33 7 0 1 68

Suppliers are involved in aiding my company in making quality business decisions 10 29 18 10 1 68

Price of Supplier goods and services are a concern to my business 45 19 4 0 0 68

0 20 40 60

Customer Service is more important than price when selecting suppliers

Long-Term supplier relationships are important to the success of my

business

Suppliers are involved in aiding my company in making quality business

decisions

Price of Supplier goods and services are a concern to my business

Number of Respondents

Supplier Qualities

Strongly DisagreeDisagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree

26

Options Strongly

Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree Total

Customer Service is more important than price when selecting suppliers 14% 46% 28% 9% 3% 100%

Long-Term supplier relationships are important to the success of my business 40% 49% 10% 0% 1% 100%

Suppliers are involved in aiding my company in making quality business decisions 15% 43% 26% 15% 1% 100%

Price of Supplier goods and services are a concern to my business 66% 28% 6% 0% 0% 100%

The above chart it indicates that manufacturers believe that customer service is more important than price when selecting suppliers. Sixty percent of respondents said that price was less important than quality customer service. This means that the 60% of respondents would rather pay more for their supplier(s) than cut the cost and get a lower grade of customer service. However, this is not to say that price is not a concern to manufactures. When asked if price was a concern to their business, 94% agreed that it was. Not a single respondent said that they disagreed that price of supplier goods and service was a concern to their business.

When looking at the relationship between the supplier and manufactures, only one percent of the respondents said that a long-term relationship with their supplier was not important to their success of their business. This means that an overwhelming majority of manufactures hold their long-term relationship with their suppliers in high regards. Their feeling is that these long-term relationships aid in the success and monetary growth of their business. Because these long-term relationships are so significant to manufactures, they build trust and understanding with their suppliers. So much trust and understanding that the manufactures encourage their suppliers be involved in important decision making. According to the GNU Enterprises, the "voice" model is a longer-term relationship between the supplier and manufacturer, in which the manufacturer works with the supplier to resolve problems. This shows that Central Wisconsin manufactures are in line with the nation‟s trend.

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Question 9

When looking at your supplier lists, please approximate the percentage of suppliers located in each area.

Range Central Wisconsin Wisconsin National International

0-10% 18 16 14 56

11-20% 17 17 11 6

21-30% 6 15 12 1

31-40% 4 11 7 0

41-50% 7 5 12 1

51-60% 5 1 5 3

61-70% 5 2 0 0

71-80% 3 0 5 0

81-100% 2 0 1 0

The above graph shows the number of respondents that indicated what percentage of their suppliers are located in each of the designated regions. Each respondent was given the following choice of locations in which their suppliers could be located: central Wisconsin, Wisconsin outside the central Wisconsin area, national outside of Wisconsin, and international. They were then asked to indicate what percentages of their suppliers were in each of those regions.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Central Wisconsin Wisconsin National International

Nu

mb

er

of

Re

spo

nd

en

ts

Supplier Location

81-100%

71-80%

61-70%

51-60%

41-50%

31-40%

21-30%

11-20%

0-10%

28

Over half of the respondents said that fewer than 20% of their suppliers were located in the central Wisconsin area. While many people agree that using local suppliers provides significant benefits to manufacturer from good public relations by showing interest and investment in their community to shorter and more cost efficient shipping, only a third of our respondents said that 50% or more of their suppliers were located in central Wisconsin. This means that over half of the suppliers are from outside our local area.

The tendency is even greater when it comes to suppliers located outside the central Wisconsin area but still located in Wisconsin. About 95% of the respondents said that less than half of their suppliers were located in Wisconsin. Out of the remaining 5% not a single respondent said that more than 70% of their suppliers were located in Wisconsin.

This is not to say that manufacturers are going international, however. About 80% of all respondents said that fewer than 10% of their suppliers are international. This trend shows that manufactures in our area aren‟t concentrating their suppliers on any one region. The numbers show that most manufactures spread out the majority of their business almost evenly between central Wisconsin, Wisconsin and national suppliers.

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Question 10

If your country has international suppliers, please indicate the country

International

Suppliers Responses Percent

Brazil 2 2%

Canada 18 20%

China 11 12%

Germany 22 24%

India 5 5%

Japan 7 8%

Mexico 6 7%

United Kingdom 5 5%

Other 15 16%

Total 91 100%

The above graph shows that 24% of the respondents use Germany as their international supplier. The least utilized country was Brazil with only 2%. There were a total of 25 countries indicated as international suppliers from the 68 central Wisconsin respondents. The list of options in the survey contains eight of the top fifteen importing countries of 2007 according to the U.S. Census Bureau‟s foreign trade statistics. These government statistics showed that the top eight importers were, in order, Canada, China, Mexico, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, South Korea and France. These results are similar to that of the respondent‟s answers. Below is the graph of the other answers.

The other category included Poland, Israel, Taiwan, Belgium, European Union, Pakistan, Austria, Holland, Denmark, France, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Finland, Italy, South Korea, and Sweden. We didn‟t represent this information in a graph or table because there weren‟t enough responses for country. Each country had only one, two, or three responses.

2%

20%

12%

24%

6%

8%

7%

5% 16%

International Suppliers

Brazil

Canada

China

Germany

India

Japan

30

Question 11

Indicate how competitive you believe suppliers in the Central Wisconsin Area are based on the following factors

Responses

Competitive Somewhat Competitive Adequate

Somewhat Competitive

Not Competitive

Not Applicable Total

Knowledgeable Staff 15 28 19 5 0 1 68

Technological Capabilities 10 22 23 7 2 3 67

Customer Service 24 29 11 3 0 1 135

Pricing Structures 12 19 21 8 4 3 67

Product/Service Offerings 10 26 21 3 5 3 68

Percentages Of Responses

Competitive Somewhat Competitive Adequate

Somewhat Competitive

Not Competitive

Not Applicable

Total %

Knowledgeable Staff 22% 41% 28% 7% 0% 1% 100%

Technological Capabilities 15% 33% 34% 10% 3% 4% 100%

Customer Service 18% 21% 8% 2% 0% 1% 100%

Pricing Structures 18% 28% 31% 12% 6% 4% 100%

Product/Service Offerings 15% 38% 31% 4% 7% 4% 100%

The data from the above graphs and tables indicates that the two highest ranked factors for central Wisconsin suppliers were Customer Service, with 79% of responses over neutral, and Knowledgeable Staff, with 64% of responses over neutral. Pricing structures seemed to be the lowest rated factor.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Knowledgeable Staff

Technological Capabilities

Customer Service

Pricing Structures

Product/Service Offerings

31

In reviewing this data, it is evident that manufacturers view Central Wisconsin suppliers as being fairly competitive over all the factors. However, the data does not show a very strong response indicating that Central Wisconsin suppliers are more competitive. It is apparent that customer service and knowledgeable staff are two main assets of Central Wisconsin manufacturers, as they show the strongest response. Pricing structures are a downfall in comparison to outside competition. Product and service offerings and technological capabilities are maintaining a neutral to fairly competitive rating with

Central Wisconsin manufacturers.

32

Question 12

Please indicate the reasons that your business would go outside of Central Wisconsin to select a supplier

Reasons Responses Percent

Confidentiality 2 1%

Pricing 54 36%

Product/Service Offerings 57 38%

Unaware of a Local Supplier 34 23%

Other 4 3%

Total 151 100%

With 38% of the responses, product/ service offerings are the main reason manufacturers would go outside of Central Wisconsin to find suppliers. Thirty-six percent of the responses indicate that pricing is another reason manufacturers go outside of Central Wisconsin to find their suppliers. Twenty-three percent or almost a quarter, of the respondents indicated that they were unaware of a local supplier for their business. The three percent that indicated “other” as their response provided several explanations for this. Specialization, technology and lack of suppliers or raw materials to produce supplies were all reasons given for manufacturers to leave Central Wisconsin to find their suppliers.

1% Confidentiality

36% Pricing

38% Product/Service

Offerings

22% Unaware of Local Suppliers

3% Other

Reason why Manufacturers go outside Central Wisconsin to select suppliers

Confidentiality Pricing Product/Service Offerings Unaware of a Local Supplier Other

33

Question 13

What is your primary business activity?

Industry Responses Percentage

Agribusiness 5 7%

Brewing Industry 0 0%

Chemical Industry 4 5%

Construction 7 9%

Electronics 0 0%

Food Processing 8 11%

Industrial Design 1 1%

Metalworking 11 14%

Energy Industry 1 1%

Engineering 4 5%

Forest Products/Paper 14 18%

Plastics 0 0%

Telecommunications 0 0%

Textile Manufacturing 1 1%

Transportation 0 0%

Other 20 26%

Total 76 100%

Eighteen percent of manufacturers responded that they were in the forest products/paper industry. There was also high representation in the food processing and metalworking industries, with 11% and 14% respectively. Industries not represented were brewing, electronics, plastics, telecommunications, or transportation industries.

0

5

10

15

20

25

Primary Business Activity

34

Among the “other” responses, 5 of the 20 respondents indicated that they are in the printing industry. Other industries listed in the “other” section include assembly, dental appliance manufacturing, housing, heat treating, racking, educational tools and motor manufacturing.

The results to this survey are rather scattered, showing that there is a variety of manufacturing industry represented in the Central Wisconsin area. This information is consistent with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, whose graphs also show a variety of manufacturing businesses that exist in Wisconsin. The graph shows that, although there is no distinctly dominate industry, the paper, metalworking, and food industries have the highest percentages of the industry.

The total above exceeds the number of received surveys, due to a couple of companies being involved in more than one different type of business activities.

35

Question 14

What are your company’s annual sales?

Annual Sales Number of

Respondents Percentage of Respondents

0-99,999 0 0%

100,000-499,999 4 6%

500,000-999,999 2 3%

1 million-4.9 million 21 34%

5 million-9.9million 6 10%

10million + 28 45%

Total 62 100%

The above graph displays that the majority of the businesses make 10 million dollars or more yearly. Twenty-one out of sixty-two make between 1 million and 4.9 million dollars (Note: Six people did not answer this question).

0-99,999100,000-499,999

500,000-999,999

1 million-4.9 million

5 million-9.9million

10million +

Annual Sales

0-99,999

100,000-499,999

500,000-999,999

1 million-4.9 million

5 million-9.9million

10million +

36

Findings and Conclusions

Local manufacturers believe that central Wisconsin suppliers are competitive in various categories. Knowledgeable staff ranked the most competitive attribute of local suppliers. When looking at the compilation of data (specifically questions four, seven, and eleven) suppliers indicated that they respond most to relationship marketing. Customer service was extremely important to the manufacturers when choosing a supplier. Ninety-four percent of the respondents believed this is an important criterion. Also, half of the manufacturers agreed that long-term supplier relationships are important to the success of the manufacturer‟s business. When looking for new suppliers, most manufactures used supplier salesperson or word-of-mouth. Therefore, relationship marketing, customer service and the human touch are very important factors when doing business with local manufacturers.

Area manufacturers believe that customer service is more important than price when selecting suppliers. Sixty percent of respondents said that price was less important than quality customer service. However, this is not to say that price is not a concern to manufactures. When asked if price was a factor, 94% agreed that it was. Ninety-eight percent use price as an important factor when selecting a supplier.

Sixty-five percent of manufactures are unaware of local suppliers. However, the manufactures believe that the local area suppliers would be able to meet their needs of products and services.

When looking at the information, no relationship existed between manufacturers requiring certifications and their perceptions on how competitive central Wisconsin suppliers are. Requiring certifications does not drive the selection of suppliers outside of central Wisconsin area. Also, the increased percentage of suppliers selected outside the area does not change the perception on how competitive the supplier is compared to the rest of the nation.

Online ordering is utilized by a majority of local manufacturers. The main benefits identified were 24/7 contact, a more efficient method and provides for quicker product delivery.

37

Recommendations

Relationship marketing is an important criterion. Half of the respondents stated that suppliers are involved in aiding their company in making quality business decisions. Local suppliers need to have a knowledgeable staff with good customer service skills.

Strive to keep a quality product at a competitive price. Staying knowledgeable on business trends is important in building the relationship with local manufacturers.

Local suppliers need to get their name out to manufacturers. Making sure to research manufacturer‟s needs and use personal selling techniques to do so. The perception of manufactures in relation to local suppliers shows that as long as manufactures are able and aware of local suppliers they are willing to take advantage of the local suppliers‟ services.

Utilize technology to grow sales. Invest in technological infrastructure will aid in gaining local business and as well as business outside the area.

i

Addendum

ii

Cover Letter:

October 29, 2007

«MrMrsMs» «First_Name» «Last_Name_»

«Company»

«Address»

«City», «State_» «Zip»

Dear «MrMrsMs» «Last_Name_»:

The Heart of Wisconsin Business and Economic Alliance Manufacturing Cluster has partnered with Mid-State Technical College Marketing students to discover the needs and perceptions of area manufacturers in how they select a supplier of goods and services. This information will provide the Manufacturing Cluster with the information they need to assist in the growth and sustainability of our diverse manufacturing base.

Please take the time to complete the enclosed survey and return it in the provided self-addressed stamped envelope no later than November 15th, 2007. The results from your survey and other manufacturers will be combined and analyzed. Upon your request the calculated results will be available through The Heart of Wisconsin Business and Economic Alliance.

We want to assure you that the information provided to us will be kept confidential. If you have any questions or concerns about completing the survey, please contact Debra Wallner, Marketing and Business Instructor, at 715-422-5368 or email [email protected].

Sincerely, MSTC Marketing Research Class Enclosures

mailto:[email protected]

iii

Survey of Manufacturer/Supplier Relationships

Our existing businesses are our best prospects for future growth in Wisconsin. Helping businesses stay competitive is

important. The purpose of this survey is to discover the needs and perceptions of area manufacturers in regards to

selecting supplier goods and services. We appreciate your time and consideration in completing and returning this survey.

1. Are you involved in the process of reviewing and selecting suppliers for your company?

Yes No

2. Approximately, how many suppliers does your company currently utilize?

1-500 501-1,000 1,001-2,000

2,001-5,000 5,001-10,000 10,000+

3. Do you have any special requirements for your current suppliers? (Please select all that apply)

Supplier Training Special Licensing or Certification None

Other___________________ Technology Infrastructure Quality Certification

Vendor Management Software

4. Where do you locate information about new suppliers? (please select all that apply)

Supplier Salesperson Word of mouth

Trade shows Advertisements

Magazines/Publications Other: _________________

5. Do you order supplies on-line? (If no, please skip to number 7)

Yes No

6. If your company utilizes online ordering, how do you believe that it impacts your business?

Increases efficiency Yes No Unsure

Provides for quicker product delivery Yes No Unsure

Decreases errors Yes No Unsure

Allows for 24/7 contact Yes No Unsure

Decreases cost of supplier products/services Yes No Unsure

iv

7. How important are the following in the selection process of a new supplier?

Extremely

Important Important Neutral Unimportant

Extremely

Unimportant

Quality of Supplier Product/Service

1 2 3 4 5

Location of Supplier Business 1 2 3 4 5

Cost of Supplier Product/Service 1 2 3 4 5

Supplier Customer Service 1 2 3 4 5

Knowledgeable Supplier Personnel 1 2 3 4 5

Amount of Product Offerings 1 2 3 4 5

Flexibility of Product Customization 1 2 3 4 5

Supplier Technology Infrastructure 1 2 3 4 5

Environmental Awareness 1 2 3 4 5

Responsiveness to Business Needs 1 2 3 4 5

Knowledgeable on Local Business Operations

1 2 3 4 5

8. Indicate your agreement level with the following statements as they pertain to your business relationships with

your suppliers.

Strongly

Agree Neutral

Strongly

Disagree

Customer service is more important than price when selecting suppliers

1 2 3 4 5

Long-term supplier relationships are important to the success of my business

1 2 3 4 5

Suppliers are involved in aiding my company in making quality business decisions

1 2 3 4 5

Price of supplier goods and services are a concern to my business

1 2 3 4 5

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9. When looking at your supplier lists, please approximate the percentage of suppliers located in each area.

_____% Central Wisconsin Businesses

_____% Wisconsin Businesses outside the Central Wisconsin Area

_____% National Businesses outside of Wisconsin

_____% International Businesses

100%

10. If your company has international suppliers, please indicate the country. (Please select all that apply)

Brazil Canada China Germany

India Japan Mexico United Kingdom

Other:______________________________

11. Indicate how competitive you believe suppliers in the Central Wisconsin Area are based on the following

factors.

Competitive Adequate Not

Competitive

Not

Applicable

Products/Service Offerings 1 2 3 4 5 NA

Pricing Structures 1 2 3 4 5 NA

Customer Service 1 2 3 4 5 NA

Technological Capabilities 1 2 3 4 5 NA

Knowledgeable Staff 1 2 3 4 5 NA

vi

12. Please indicate the reasons that your business would go outside of Central Wisconsin to select a supplier. (Please

select all that apply)

Confidentiality

Pricing

Product/Service Offerings

Unaware of a Local Supplier

Other

13. What is your primary business activity?

Agribusiness Food processing Forest Products/Paper

Brewing Industry Industrial Design Plastics

Chemical Industry Metalworking Telecommunications

Construction Energy Industry Textile Manufacturing

Electronics Engineering Transportation

Other __________________________

14. What are your company’s annual sales?

$0---$99,999 $100,000---$499,999 500,000---$999,999 $1 million- --$4.9 million $5 million---$9.9 million $10 million and above

Thank you for taking time to complete this survey. The information that you provide will enable the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance Manufacturing Cluster to assist in achieving a clear understanding of any needs or concerns businesses in our community have.

Mid-State Technical College Marketing Research Class

Strata One

vii

Company Address City State Zip Mr./Mrs./Ms. First

Name Last Name Phone

Engineered Building Systems 1610 S. Hume Ave. Marshfield WI 54449 Attention John

(715) 387-4721

Kerry Ingredients 6574 Ryland Ave Vesper WI 54489 Corporate Purchasing

(715) 569-4101

Stevens Point Brewery 2617 Water St Stevens Point WI 54481-5248 Mr Jeff Salawaske (715) 344-9310

Pittsville Homes, Inc 5094 2nd Ave P.O. Box C Pittsville WI 54466-0903 Mr. Andy Hoogestegger (715) 884-2511

Pointe Precision, LLC 2675 Precision Drive Plover WI 54467 Mr. Craig Hansen (715) 342-5100

Portesi Italian Foods, Inc 3201 Business Park Drive Stevens Point WI 54481 Mr. Rusty Mitch (715) 344-7974

Prepolymer Prod., Inc. 2515 W Veterans Pkwy Marshfield WI 54449-8830 Mr. Richard Cherney (715) 387-6303

Hamel Forest Products 5401 Cty Rd D Vesper WI 54489 Mr. Ralph Hamel (715) 569-4186

Heinzen Printing, Inc. 550 S. Central Ave. P.O. Box 267 Marshfield WI 54449 Mr. Mike Heinzen (715) 384-4959

Innovative Machine Specialists 1907 Laemle Ave. Marshfield WI 54449 Mr. Andy Martin (715) 389-1511

Journal Printing PO Box 95 Stevens Point WI 54481 Mr. Tom Cashin (715) 344-4084

Lynn Dairy, Inc. W 1929 Hwy. 10 Granton WI 54436-8899 Mr. Dave Lindgren (715) 238-7129

Lynn Protein, Inc. W 1930 Hwy. 10 Granton WI 54436-8899 Mr. Dave Lindgren (715) 238-7129

Magic Products, Inc P.O.Box 38 Amherst Jct. WI 54407-0038 Mr. Gil Patoka (715) 824-3100

Donaldson Co, Inc 5200 Coye Dr Stevens Point WI 54481-9998 Mr. Scott Jacson (715) 341-5311

Felker Bros. Corp. 22 N. Chestnut Ave Marshfield WI 54449 Mr. Mike Ploen (715) 384-3121

Gamber-Johnson, LLC 3001 Borham Ave Stevens Point WI 54481 Mr. Brian Lepak (715) 344-3482

General Chemical Corp 311 12th Ave S Wisconsin Rapids WI 54495 Mr. Russ Bambenek (715) 423-0430

Golden Eagle Log Homes 4421 Plover Rd Wisconsin Rapids WI 54494-6826 Mr. Dick Schwalbach (715) 421-3392

Adams-Columbia Electric Co-Op 401 E. Lake Street Friendship WI 53934 Mr. Glenn Quinnell (608) 339-3346

American Asphalt of Wisconsin 832 Hwy 15 E Mosinee WI 54455 Mr. Jeff Wiesman (715) 341-1673

Automated Products, Inc. 1812 Karau Dr. Marshfield WI 54449 Mr. Ken Ramussem (715) 387-3426

Banta Global Turnkey 1600 Disk Drive Plover WI 54467 Mr. John March (715) 341-0544

Basic American Foods P.O. Box 68 Plover WI 54467 Mr. Gary Rzentkowski (715) 341-5960

Berg Equipment Company P.O. Box 507 Marshfield WI 54449 Mr. Vernon Berg (Jr.) (715) 384-2151

Buffets, Inc. Cabinet Division 1915 E 29th St. Marshfield WI 54449 Mr. Dan Leonahardt (715) 384-4418

Corenso 800 Freemont St P.O. Box 8050 Wisconsin Rapids WI 54495-8050 Mr. Mark Wallace (715) 422-3111

Counter-Form LLC 2001 E. 29th St. Marshfield WI 54449 Mr. Glen Wilcot (715) 384-2131

County Materials Corp P.O. Box 100 Marathon WI 54448 Mr. Mark Knapp 800-289-2569

viii

Custom Fabricating and Repair, Inc. P.O. Box 296 Marshfield WI 54449 Mr. Pat Grosbier (715) 387-6598

Del Monte 1400 Plover Rd P.O. Box 729 Plover WI 54467 Mr. Ron Garski (715) 344-5771

Dental Crafters, Inc. 1000 Corporate Drive Marshfield WI 54449-8626 Mr. Mike Oemig (715) 387-2642

Toellner Systems Inc. 1430 2nd Street North Wisconsin Rapids WI 54494 Mr. Bruce Curtis (715)424-4530

Wisconsin Valley Concrete 610 McKinley St. Wisconsin Rapids WI 54494 Mr. Jeff Kulick

Worzolla Publishing CO 3535 Jefferson St Stevens Point WI 54481 Mr. John Prais

Wisconsin Dairy State Cheese Co 6860 Hwy 34 Rudolph WI 54475 Mr. Mike Moren

Trimpac Incorporated M407 Mann Street Marshfield WI 54449 Mr. Greg Kipp (715) 384-4144

McCain Foods P.O. Box 10 Plover WI 54467 Mr. Tom Arendt (715) 421-3400

Nasonville Dairy, Inc. 10898 Hwy 10 West Marshfield WI 54449 Mr. Ken Heiman (715) 676-2177

Nekoosa Coated Products 841 Market St Nekoosa WI 54457 Mr. Dennis Hoffman (715) 886-4700

Nekoosa Corporation P.O. Box 129; 200 Garrison Avenue Nekoosa WI 54457-0129 Mr. Daniel Gaukle (715) 886-3800

Northland Cranberries, Inc 2321 W Grand Ave. P.O. Box8020 Wisconsin Rapids WI 54495 Mr. Drew Swendrowski (715) 424-4444

Opportunity Development Center, Inc. (ODC, Inc.) 2406 E. 21st St. Marshfield WI 54449 Mr. Dan Scott (715) 387-1161

Ortho Molecular Products, Inc. 3017 Business Park Drive Stevens Point WI 54481 Mr. Mike E. (715) 342-9881

Paramount Farms, Inc P.O. Box 188 Bancroft WI 54921 Mr. Tony Stanislawski (715) 335-6091

Grezenski Forest Products 3158 Hwy XN Stevens Point WI 54481-9653 Mr. Jim Grezenski (715) 344-0878

Community Industries Crop 41 Park Ridge Dr Stevens Point WI 54481-4436 Mr. John March (715) 344-0875

Wiskerchen Cheese Factory 5710 Country Road H Auburndale WI 54412 Mr. John Wiskerchen (715)652-2333

Prince Corp 8351 E Cyt Rd H Marshfield WI 54449-9989 Mrs. Barb Robus (715) 384-3105

Recycled Office Environments 5225 Joerns Dr P.O. Box206 Stevens Point WI 54481 Mrs. Shelia L'Huillier (715) 345-9800

Renaissance Learnng 2911 Peach St Wisconsin Rapids WI 54494 Mrs. Diane Schroeder (715) 424-3636

Specialty Minerals P.O. Box 695; 1120 5th Avenue North Wisconsin Rapids WI 54494 Mrs. Carol Nordstrum (715) 421-3700

Spectra Print 2301 Country Club Drive P.O. Box 247 Stevens Point WI 54481-0263 Mrs. Pat Eckes (715) 344-5175

Steel King Ind. Inc 2700 Chambers St Stevens Point WI 54481-4856 Mrs. Mary Suchon (715) 341-3120

Apache Stainless Equipment Corporation P.O. Box 538 Beaver Dam WI 53916 Mrs.

Mary Beth Schmit (715) 344-4636

Power Engineers 1820 Post Rd Suite 2 Plover WI 54467 Mrs. Shelly Kovach (715) 342-1160

Mullins Cheese M447 Cty Rd C Marshfield WI 54449 Mrs. Bill Mullins (715) 687-4148

Neenah Paper, Whiting Mill 3243 Whiting Rd Stevens Point WI 54481 Mrs. Marlene Miller (715) 345-5050

Opportunity Development Centers, Inc 1191 Huntington St Wisconsin Rapids WI 54494-6499 Mrs. Nicole Trickle (715) 424-2712

ix

Paget Equipment Co. Div of JBL Int. Inc 417 E. 29th St. P.O. Box 369 Marshfield WI 54449-0369 Mrs. Tammy Johnson (715) 384-3158

Paragon Potato Fams P.O. Box 330 Bancroft WI 54921 Mrs. Yetta

(715) 335-8070

Quality Ingredients Corp. 211 E. Depot St. P.O. Box 514 Marshfield WI 54449 Ms. Pinney J. Brooks (715) 384-2106

Signature Press, Inc. 3261 Hwy 161 P.O. Box 274 Amherst Jct. WI 54407 Ms. Deb Wagner (715) 824-5050

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. 201 W Grove St. P.O. Box 530 Adams WI 53910-0530 Ms. Jennifer Moore (608) 339-3371

Haza Mechanical, Inc P.O. Box 814 Wisconsin Rapids WI 54495-0814 Ms. Vicki Kuraze (715) 421-2911

Joerns Healthcare 5001 Joerns Dr Stevens Point WI 54481 Ms. LeAnn Stentenpohl (715) 341-3600

Pingel Enterprises, Inc 2072 11th Ave. Adams WI 53910-9646 Ms. Donna Pingel (608) 339-7999

H and K Tool and Die Inc. 5217 Coye Drive Stevens Point WI 54481 Ms. Debbie Koback (715) 344-0012

Central Mechanical Systems, Inc. P.O. Box 126 Marshfield WI 54449 Ms. Lori Haima (715) 387-4568

Weinbrenner Shoe Company 305 West 3rd Street Marshfield WI 54449 Ms. Ann David (715) 384-2626

Harry C. Wenzel & Sons, INC. PO Box 357 Marshfield WI 54449 Ms. Mark Vieth (715) 384-4292

Terrace Homes 1557 11th Drive Friendship WI 53934 Ms. Sarah Manternach (608) 339-7888

Modern of Marshfield, Inc 137 W. 9th St. Marshfield WI 54449-4112 Ms. Carolyn McGrath (715) 387-1181

Northern Steel Castings, Inc 80 Oliver St Wisconsin Rapids WI 54494-2957 Ms. Kathy O'Day (715) 423-8040

Raven Mfg. LLC 211 E. Depot St. Marshfield WI 54449 Purchasing Department

(715) 389-1363

Schreiber Foods, Inc 2321 Jefferson St Wisconsin Rapids WI 54494 Purchasing Department

(715) 422-7500

SKS Machine, Inc 1430 2nd St N. Wisconsin Rapids WI 54494-2914 Purchasing Department

(715) 421-1900

Harry C. Wenzel & Sons, Inc 500 E 29th St. P.O. Box 357 Marshfield WI 54449 Purchasing Department

(715) 387-1218

Kickapoo Valley Cheese Corp 9285 3rd St Milladore WI 54454 Purchasing Department

(715) 652-2173

Lang Furniture S2890 Bee Bee Rd P.O. Box 866 Marshfield WI 54449-9438 Purchasing Department

(715) 387-1690

PCO. 2515 W. Arnold St. Marshfield WI 54449 Purchasing Department

(715) 387-6303

Domtar Wisconsin River Drive Port Edwards WI 54469 Purchasing Department

Erco Worldwide 101 Highway 73 South Nekoosa WI 54457 Purchasing Department

(715) 887-4000

Evergreen Mfg. 11003 Main St. Hewitt WI 54441 Purchasing Department

(715) 387-2661

Fabral Metal Wall and Roof Systems, Inc. 1820 E 26th St. Marshfield WI 54449 Purchasing Department

(715) 387-8433

Fey Publishing Co 910 29th Ave N. P.O. Box 8051 Wisconsin Rapids WI 54495 Purchasing Department

(715) 423-2400

Foremost Farms 1511 E. Fourth St. Marshfield WI 54449 Purchasing Department

(715) 384-5616

Golden County Foods P.O. Box 249 Plover WI 54467 Purchasing Department

715-341-3191

Grande Cheese 1007 West Lake Friendship WI 53934 Purchasing Department

608-339-6611

H & S Manufacturing Co., Inc 2608 S. Hume Ave. P.O. Box 768 Marshfield WI 54449 Purchasing Department

(715) 387-3414

Worth Co PO box 88 Stevens Point WI 54481 Purchasing Department

x

Wick Building Systems INC. 2609 East 4th Street Marshfield WI 54449 Purchasing Department

(715) 387-1275

Pomp’s Tire Service Inc 660 West Grand Avenue Wisconsin Rapids WI 54494 Purchasing Department

715-421-5200

PCO Urethane (was prepolymer prod) 2113 South Nikolai Avenue Marshfield WI 54449 Attention Richard

(715) 387-6303

Superior Paper Products Limited PO Box 67 Marshfield WI 54449 Attention Toni

(715) 384-8656

Strata Two

xi

Company Address City State Zip Mr./Mrs./Ms. First Name Last Name Telephone

3 M Co. 144 Rosecrans Street Wausau WI 54401 Purchasing Department (715) 536-7101

Abbyland Foods Inc 508 E Linden Street Abbotsford WI 54405 Mr. Tim Schwecke (715) 223-6386

Ads Mfg Inc W4705 County A Lily WI 54491 Purchasing Department (715) 536-7144

Antigo Dental Laboratory 815 5th

Avenue Antigo WI 54409 Mr. Christopher T. Portman (715) 369-4383

Antigo Sign Inc 130 Superior Street Antigo WI 54409 Purchasing Department 715-536-5283

Apogee Enterprises Inc 1415 West St Wausau WI 54402 Purchasing Department (715) 341-9181

Armin Tool & Mfg Co 837 Air Park Road Rhinelander WI 54501 Purchasing Department (715) 443-2434

Artisans Inc W4146 Second Street Glen Flora WI 54526 Mrs. Joan Paschke (715) 588-7500

Badger Wreath Inc N1879 Hwy 17 Merrill WI 54452 Mr. Josh Koehler (715) 352-2345

Bartig Printing Company 1502 Thomas St. Wausau WI 54401-9044 Mr. John Bergh (000) 000-0000

Bletsoe Cheese Inc 8281 3Ard Ln Marathon WI 54448 Mr David Bletsoe (715) 536-8112

Bruce A Anderson N 1310 Center Road Merrill WI 54452 Mr. Bruce Anderson (715)359-6101

Burton Industries Inc 9821 Cedar Falls Road Hazelhurst WI 54531 Mr. Bill Reese (715) 356-9839

Central Concrete Cutting Inc W719 Leroy Street Edger WI 54426 Ms. Lisa Sondergard (715) 478-3435

Colby Metal Inc 701 Industrial Dr Colby WI 54421-0466 Mrs. Carolyn Weiller (715) 356-6222

Corner Stone Millwork Co LLC PO Box 114 Merrill WI 54452 Purchasing Department 715-536-8058

County Concrete Corp 205 North St Marathon WI 54448 Mr. George Jackson (715) 387-1690

Cranberry Products Inc 413 W Pine St Eagle River WI 54521 Purchasing Department (715) 842-2091

Custom Meats Of Marathon Inc 1300 Hwy 107 South Marathon WI 54448 Purchasing Department (715) 687-4198

D C Motors Inc 2200 Sturdevant St Merrill WI 54452-2765 Mr Dan Barz (000) 000-0000

Dennis D Rosa Hwy 8 West Crandon WI 54520-9802 Mr. Dennis Rosa (715) 693-2327

Double K Inc 701 N Railroad Ave Crandon WI 54520 Purchasing Department (715) 539-3404

Dvorak Lumber Co Inc L246 Iron Bridge Rd Athens WI 54411 Mr. Jim Dvorak (715) 845-4391

Fiskars Consumer Products Inc 7811 W Stewart Ave Wausau WI 54401-9328 Purchasing Department (715) 536-4035

Fruit Of The Woods WIne Cellar Inc PO Box 37 Three Lakes WI 54562 Mr. Mark McCain (715) 536-4270

Fulton Performance Products Inc 50 Indianhead Dr Mosinee WI 54455 Purchasing Department 715-845-4201

Gad Cheese Inc 2401 County Road C Medford WI 54451 Mr. Bruce Anderson Albrecht (715) 359-2497

Gary J Smith 4534 Smith Ln Laona WI 54541 Mr. Gary Smith (715) 479-4466

Geiss Meat Service Inc W4490 Pope Road Merrill WI 54452 Purchasing Department 715-536-5521

xii

Gerald Hansen & Robert Hansen 1043 Margaret Lake Three Lakes WI 54562 Mr. Robert Hansen (715) 369-1480

Goetsch's Welding and Machine Inc 9480 S County Road K Merrill WI 54452 Ms. Ann Goetsch (715) 674-3814

Gordon Aluminum Industries Inc 308 Douglas Merrill WI 54452 Mr. Erven Draeger (715)369-5600

Green Bay Packaging Inc 6845 Packer Drive Wausau WI 54401 Mr. Jeff Rass (715) 693-0818

Greg G Weinfurter 1869 N Stevens St Rhinelander WI 54501-2163 Mr. Greg Weinfurter (312) 742-1864

Hahn Printing Inc 752 N Adams Rd Eagle River WI 54521 Mr. Gary Hahn (715) 359-4455

Harry Zdroik 5051 State Hwy 70 W Eagle River WI 54521-9033 Mr. Harry Zdroik (715) 842-2724

Hurd Millwork Co Inc 1815 Water St Merrill WI 54452 Purchasing Department (715) 693-4344

Impact Mfg Corp 333 Plumer Wausau WI 54403 Purchasing Department (715) 748-2822

Imperial Industries Inc 505 Industrial Park Ave Rothschild WI 54474 Purchasing Department (000) 000-0000

Jeffrey R Nikolai 510 E WIllow Dr Spencer WI 54479 Purchasing Department

Jerry's Custom Cabinets,Inc 1356 County Road F Minocqua WI 54548-9632 Purchasing Department (612) 736-1634

Joe Bucher Tackle Co P O Box 1105 Eagle River WI 54521-1105 Purchasing Department (000) 000-0000

Johnson Electric Coil Co 821 Watson St Antigo WI 54409-2753 Mrs. Judy Quirk (715) 547-3361

Jon Schultz W3125 Center Rd Merrill WI 54452 Purchasing Department 715-627-5000

Kafka Conveyors & Equipment Inc 1388 State Hwy 107 Mosinee WI 54455 Mrs. Brandi Kramer (715) 479-4313

Kenneth Kuhn W4873 WInkelman Ave Irma WI 54442-9638 Purchasing Department 715-623-4838

Knudson Sheet Metal Inc 724 Ross Avenue Schofield WI 54476-0027 Mr. David Gleason (715) 257-7887

Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co Inc 1323 S. 11th Ave. Wausau WI 54401 Purchasing Department (715)845-2112

Lang Furniture Inc S2890 Bee Bee Rd Marshfield WI 54449 Purchasing Department (000) 000-0000

Larry R Lange 11580 Hwy K South Merrill WI 54452 Mr. Larry Lange (715) 362-2124

Lignotech Usa Inc 100 Hwy 51 South Rothschild WI 54474 Mrs. Jane Lamovec (715) 385-2877

Louisiana Pacific Corp Business Highway 51 South Tomahawk WI 54487 Purchasing Department (715) 223-2874

Maratech Intl Ltd 7111 W Stewart Ave Wausau WI 54401-9339 Purchasing Department (715) 359-0506

Marathon Electric Mfg Corp 100 E Randolph St Wausau WI 54401 Mr. Rodney Clark (715) 487-5148

Marathon Label Company 2401 3rd St. Wausau WI 54403-3204 Purchasing Department (715) 536-9786

Marathon Mills Inc 1410 Weisenberger Rd Marathon WI 54448 Purchasing Department (715) 845-9666

Melron Corp PO Box 137 Schofield WI 54476 Purchasing Department (715) 359-7272

Menzner Lumber PO Box 217 Marathon WI 54448 Mr. Gordon Ruplinger (715) 546-3080

Merit Gear Corp 810 Hudson St Antigo WI 54409 Mr. Greg Larson (724) 266-1077

Merrill Millwork Inc 1300 W. Taylor St Merrill WI 54452 Mr. Pat Waller (715) 536-7176

xiii

Michael B Knauf 300 3rd Street Wausau WI 54403-5458 Purchasing Department (715) 322-5285

Midstate Pallet & Skid Mfg Inc W1271 Hwy 64 Merrill WI 54452 Mr. Greg Smith (715) 536-9551

Mikkelson's Machine Shop Inc N6493 County Highway V Deerbrook WI 54424-9671 Purchasing Department (715) 623-4449

Mitchell Metal Products Inc 905 South State Street Merrill WI 54452 Mr. Dale Mitchell (715) 536-9595

Modern Tool and Machine Inc 2835 Basswood Road Manitowoc WI 54220 Ms. Lynn Kirt (715) 623-4019

Modu-Line Windows Inc 930 Single Ave Wausau WI 54403 Human Resource (715) 275-3155

Mosinee Paper Corporation 1244 Kronenwetter Drive Mosinee WI 54455-9099 Purchasing Department (715) 536-6060

Mullin's Cheese, Inc. 598 Seagull Dr Mosinee WI 54455 Mr. Bill Mullins (715) 693-3205

Nagel Lumber Co Inc 5135 Hwy B Land O'Lakes WI 54540 Mr. Nagel (715) 359-7001

Nancy A Pyrcz 8146 Millan Rd Armstrong Creek WI 54103 Ms. Nancy Pyrcz (513) 621-2850

Norlen Incorporated 900 Grossman Drive Schofield WI 54476 Purchasing Department 715-4432526

Nortec LLC W9112 Cherry Road Antigo WI 54409 Purchasing Department 715-623-7755

Northern Metalworking Corp 918 Hwy 45 Pelican Lake WI 54463 Mr. Paul Taylor (715) 675-3669

Northern WIre LLC 1100 Taylor St P.O Box 545 Merrill WI 54452 Ms. Dawn Hillenburg (715) 479-8797

Northland Heat Treating Inc 1326 Smith Avenue Antigo WI 54409 Purchasing Department 715-623-4723

Ohman Welding & Repair Inc 3752 Limberlost Rd Rhinelander WI 54501-8317 Mr. Joel Ohman (715) 356-5767

Oneida Concrete Products Inc 1539 N Stevens Street Rhinelander WI 54501 Purchasing Department (715) 359-6123

Park City Chemical Co Inc N2880 Highway K Merrill WI 54452 Ms. Carole Davis (715) 623-4156

Piper Products Inc 300 S 84th Ave Wausau WI 54401-8460 Mr. Bob Seim (715) 359-8845

Plaspack U S A Inc 753 Amron Ave Antigo WI 54409 Ms. Trica Wright (000) 000-0000

Pn Draeger Inc 231 Superior St Antigo WI 54409 Mr. Pn. Draeger (715) 675-3311

Polar Mfg Co W3955 Mill Rd Bryant WI 54418-9570 Purchasing Department (715) 687-3133

Pro Weld Fabricating Inc N 11251 Industrial Park Lane Elcho WI 54428 Mr. Jori Lundgren (715) 536-3332

Rhinelander Paper Co Inc 515 W. Davenport Street Rhinelander WI 54501 Purchasing Department (715) 849-8080

Riverstone Inc. 903 S. 60th Ave Wausau WI 54401 Mr. Derek Merkel (000) 000-0000

Rock Oil Refining C4522 State Highway 97 Stratford WI 54484-9624 Mr. Mike Rock (715) 675-7900

Rondele Acquisition Llc 8100 Hwy K South Merrill WI 54452 Mr. Randy Brandt (000) 000-0000

Schofield Enterprises Inc 1110 Industrail Ave Schofield WI 54476 Purchasing Department (715) 693-2284

Semling-Menke Co Inc W313 South Nast Street Merrill WI 54452 Purchasing Department 715-536-9411

Stevens Point Log Mfg Inc 1973 Sandy Creek Rd Knowlton WI 54455 Mr. Jeff Swiggum (715) 693-1700

Stratford Homes PO Box 37 Stratford WI 54484 Mr. Bill Himmell (715) 355-4000

xiv

Styrene Products Inc 5320 Fuller Street Schofield WI 54476 Ms. Dawn Hahn (000) 000-0000

Superior Floor Co Inc 100 Mill St Laona WI 54541 Purchasing Department (715) 623-7907

Systems Technologies Inc 601 Alexander St Merrill WI 54452 Mr. Bob Burton (715) 842-7222

The Ritescreen Co Inc 1000 Cotter Ave Merrill WI 54452 Mr Pete Nygaard (715) 675-3326

Thomas Caster & Wheel Inc 1403 W Taylor St Merrill WI 54452 Purchasing Department 715-623-6300

Tollar Dental Studio Inc 324 1/2 Washington Wausau WI 54401 Purchasing Department (715) 845-6045

Trapp Brothers Inc Hwy 51 N Farming Rd Woodruff WI 54568 Ms. Lois McFadin (715) 627-4367

Trustor Coatings LLP 401 N 72nd Ave Wausau WI 54401 Purchasing Department (920) 686-1586

Wads Woodworks Inc 1000 State Hwy 153 Mosinee WI 54455 Purchasing Department (715) 842-8232

Waukesha Bearings 703 Amron Avenue Antigo WI 54409 Mr. Sue Tatro (715) 546-3458

Wausau Hardware & Machine Co Inc T3680 Cty Hwy WW Wausau WI 54403 Purchasing Department (715) 693-3027

Wausau Homes Inc 10805 Hwy 51 South Rothschild WI 54474 Purchasing Department (715) 693-0886

Wausau Tile PO Box 1520 Wausau WI 54402-1520 Mr. Tom Martin (715) 842-1651

Weinbrenner Shoe Co Inc 108 South Polk Street Merrill WI 54452 Mr. John Schenzel (715) 362-2828

Welcome Dairy Inc H 4489 Maple Rd Colby WI 54421 Purchasing Department (715) 623-6967

Wetterau Wood Products Inc P.O. Box 429 Antigo WI 54409 Mr. Mark Borneman (715) 223-2334

WIlliam Nelson 151 N Brown St Rhinelander WI 54501 Purchasing Department (715) 359-6544

WIndow Accessory Co Inc 4705 Bayberry St Schofield WI 54476 Mr. Mike tatro (715) 359-0200

WIre Products Mfg Corp 1000 Matthews St Merrill WI 54452 Mr Dick Talory (715) 536-4837

Wisconsin Public Service Po Box 19001 Green Bay WI 54370 Marketing Deptment (715) 623-2307

Wooden Creations Inc 10439 Highland Drive Boulder Junction WI 54512 Purchasing Department (715) 478-5090

Woods & Water Inc 1136 Bo Di Lac Dr Lac Du Flambu WI 54538-9634 Purchasing Department (715) 473-3611

Woods Equipment Co 1962 Queen Land Dr Mosinee WI 54455 Mr. Blake Mathies (612) 835-1874

xv

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