Wisconsin’s central location, proven industry know-how, transportation infrastructure and positive business climate combine to offer attractive investment opportunities to British companies looking to increase their US presence.

STRONG BRITISH RELATIONSHIPS

The United Kingdom is one of Wisconsin’s top trading partners. In 2014, imports from the United Kingdom to Wisconsin increased 16% to $337.5 million, with aircraft parts accounting a large portion of the change at nearly $100 million. Meanwhile, Wisconsin exports to the United Kingdom increased 25% in the same year to $849 million, making the country the fifth largest market for Wisconsin products.

Wisconsin is also attracting investment from British companies seeking to expand their US presence, with more than $300 million worth of foreign direct investment projects since 2003.One such project is 4imprint Inc., the largest direct marketer of promotional products in North America, with sales of nearly $400 million. The company was founded as Nelson Marketing in Indiana in 1985 and moved to Wisconsin in 1988. In 1996, Nelson Marketing was purchased by London-based Bemrose Group plc, which was renamed 4imprint Group plc in 2000, at which time Nelson Marketing became 4imprint Inc. The company now has two facilities in Oshkosh, Wisconsin – its North American headquarters and a distribution centre – employing 650 people and serving more than 100,000 customers in the United States and Canada. The company recently received $1 million in potential tax credits to help finance a $10.8 million expansion in Oshkosh, which CEO Kevin Lyons-Tarr identified as the best fit for the company’s growth strategy because of its history of providing outstanding customer service.

MARKET ACCESS

Goods produced in Wisconsin reach markets throughout the US in a single day, thanks to the state’s reliable transportation network designed to maximise commerce. Wisconsin’s roads, railways and ports provide  seamless, convenient access to the world’s busiest multimodal transportation hub located just 55 miles south of the state’s border. Eight commercial airports serve major industrial and metropolitan areas statewide. Wisconsin is also situated on the nation’s greatest waterways and ships 39 million tons of product annually from 29 commercial ports located along Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and the Mississippi River.

INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP

Technological advancements made by Wisconsin manufacturers have kept the state at the forefront of industry trends, in both productivity and sustainability, particularly in sectors relating infrastructure development and health improvements:

• Food and Beverage Production
• Water Technology
• Energy, Power and Control
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Bioscience

Building upon a long history of innovation and maximising well established and versatile manufacturing supply chains, Wisconsin companies are delivering new solutions to global challenges. Businesses and supporting organisations work together to ensure Wisconsin stays ahead of industry trends. Cooperation between the state’s extensive network of academic institutions helps spur the commercialisation of new technologies in these industries as well as many others.

RENOWNED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CAPABILITIES

More than $1.1 billion in research spending takes place annually at the University of Wisconsin-Madison – the third-highest in the nation. The university places sixth nationally in terms of spending on science and engineering research. In addition, a significant amount of applied research takes place through independent and collaborative programmes at Marquette University, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, the Medical College of Wisconsin, throughout the University of Wisconsin System, and in private sector research facilities across the state, such as GE’s Global Design Center. These discoveries support innovation and continuous improvement in biosciences, animal genetics, medical devices and medicines, water technology, energy, big data modelling, rapid prototyping, advanced materials and manufacturing methods, among other areas.

SKILLED WORKFORCE

Underscoring Wisconsin’s manufacturing leadership is the fact that the state has the second highest concentration of manufacturing employment in the nation at 17%. With more than 450,000 manufacturing jobs in the state, Wisconsin’s manufacturing job concentration is 87% above the national average. And this strength continues to grow. From 2009 to 2014, manufacturing employment in Wisconsin grew by 7.4%. To ensure that workers in Wisconsin continue to meet the evolving needs of industry, the state has recently dedicated $150 million to workforce training.

Wisconsin’s university system, anchored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, supports the researchers, companies and policy makers across the state that are working together to develop new, innovative products to fulfil market needs. Approximately 240,000 students in 51 public and private universities and colleges are preparing to make strong contributions to Wisconsin’s economy.

Wisconsin was the first state to develop a technical colleges system, giving the state more than 100 years’ experience training its workforce to fulfil ever-changing industry demands. Today, the state’s highly rated technical college system helps ensure that its 340,000 students are ready to meet current and future job requirements.

PROVEN SUCCESS

Further proof of the benefits of operating in Wisconsin is the state’s number-two ranking in the Dun & Bradstreet/American Express Power Index survey for scaling up companies in the mid-market sector. The survey of 19 million businesses defined mid-market companies as those with annual revenue between $10 million and $1 billion. Wisconsin’s mid-market companies are creating 92% of the net jobs in all commercially active businesses, despite accounting for less than 1% of all companies, according to the survey.

The survey findings validate the value of Wisconsin’s Scale Up Milwaukee initiative, which aims to help entrepreneurs at all stages grow their ventures by stimulating a strong regional entrepreneurship ecosystem. Scale Up Milwaukee recently graduated its 27 company from its Scalerator programme, which offers innovative training designed to teach company leaders how to maximise their growth potential. To date, the 27 companies that have gone through the programme account for $65 million in cumulative revenues, 12-month growth rates ranging from 10 to 50%, 265 new jobs, 464 new business customers and numerous new financings.

INCENTIVES ENCOURAGE PRODUCTIVITY

Recognising the importance innovations in manufacturing play in creating a competitive advantage for the state, Wisconsin provides specific incentives to manufactures to maximise their production. Chief among them is the Manufacturing and Agriculture Credit, which virtually eliminates the tax on income from manufacturing activity in Wisconsin. When fully phased in tax year 2016, the tax credit will result in an effective corporate tax rate of just 0.4% on income from eligible qualified production activities.

DEVELOPMENT-READY SITES

In a perfect world, new development projects would enjoy fast turnaround times, quick approvals and low risk. That perfect world exists in Wisconsin as a result of the Certified In Wisconsin® Program. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) worked with Deloitte Consulting to create consistent standards for industrial site certification in Wisconsin. Certification criteria were developed based on representative needs of advanced manufacturing projects. WEDC’s thorough review process produces detailed documentation about a site’s price, availability, utilities, access and environmental standing, allowing investors to make informed decisions.

QUALITY OF LIFE

Wisconsin is a place of abundant natural beauty, diverse recreational activities, world-class educational institutions, high-quality health care and unsurpassed economic opportunity.

With 15,000 inland lakes, two Great Lakes, the Mississippi River, three National Park Service properties and 57 state parks and forests, Wisconsin is blessed with stunning natural resources. Wisconsin is one of the top tourist destinations in the mid-west, popular with visitors during all four of its distinct seasons.

Wisconsin’s towns and cities have a long history of supporting arts and cultural activities, offering visitors a variety of performing arts, events and historical sites, many stemming from the state’s settlers’ European heritage. The state also boasts top-flight professional sports teams, world class entertainment and exceptional restaurants and nightclubs.

A STRONG BUSINESS PARTNER

As part of the state’s commitment to helping expand business in Wisconsin, WEDC was created to provide business-focused services and resources, partnering with a network of more than 600 regional and local entities that share that commitment. WEDC provides financial and operational assistance to help businesses achieve their investment objectives.