Leaders of 75 of Wisconsin’s largest companies will gather in Milwaukee Tuesday to celebrate the central role of privately-owned companies in the state’s economy.
The occasion is the release of the Deloitte Wisconsin 75 list, an annual compendium of the largest privately-owned companies in the state.
The companies on the list are largely familiar names, led by Northwestern Mutual, ABC Supply Co., S.C. Johnson & Son, U.S. Venture and American Family Insurance. The Wisconsin 75 ranks companies by annual revenue.
The list includes manufacturers, food processors, construction firms, consumer and business service companies, auto dealers and more. Most are owned by individuals or families. Some are employee owned, and others, like Schneider National, Plexus and Exact Sciences, are publicly traded but retain in-state majority ownership.
“These are organizations that employ a significant number of people here in the state of Wisconsin and really do contribute in a very meaningful way towards driving our economy forward,” said P.J. DiStefano, the managing partner at Deloitte’s Wisconsin practice.
Five companies were singled out this year as distinguished performers, an annual recognition for companies that stood out for business, workplace and community initiatives.
This year’s award winners are:
- CG Schmidt: The fifth-generation Milwaukee construction firm won recognition for diversity initiatives that include a commitment to mentoring small and local businesses and encouraging hiring of minority and women-owned businesses. The company said it has partnered with 148 underrepresented subcontractors,
- Jewelers Mutual Group: Celebrating it’s 110th year, the Neenah-based jewelry insurance company is being recognized with the innovation award for new technology offerings including Zing, a consolidated online platform that goes beyond insurance to include e-commerce, appraisals and other functions.
- QPS Employment Group: A nationwide staffing and recruitment company specializing in industrial, skilled trade, office, clerical and professional staffing QPS is the winner of the succession award for completion of the owners’ plan to transition to employee ownership and bring in new leaders, including Ryan Festerling, a former vice president and head of human resources for Kohl’s Department Stores who became CEO in June.
- Northwestern Mutual: The Milwaukee-based life insurance and financial services company is being honored with the community involvement award for civic improvement initiatives that include significant financial gifts to Milwaukee schools and to community housing and nonprofit organizations in the Amani, Metcalfe Park and Muskego Way neighborhoods. Most recently, the company announced nearly $3 million in grants to provide equal and affordable access to the city’s top attractions.
- Schneider National: The Green Bay-base trucking and logistics company is receiving the sustainability award for its progress toward a 60% reduction in carbon emissions per mile by 2035. Those efforts include electric vehicle purchases, diesel fleet updates, shipping route optimization and increased use of intermodal shipping.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
