Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/133826
w w w. i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m regional roundup UPFRONT company generates business, who its customers are and how it responds to them, financial practices and how those practices relate to where the company is going. Second, the group meets with its PROBE facilitator to arrive at a consensus answer about each of the questions. "It opens up conversation, and I can't tell you how beneficial it is to have a conversation among multiple levels of management, especially when people see things totally differently," says Merrill. "It's definitely a backdrop for strategic planning, because it really tells you where you are at, where you want to go, and how to get there." The third step is the actual benchmarking. Within a few minutes, the facilitator can provide a basic report that identifies the company's strengths and weaknesses, and can make an initial computerized comparison of how the company stacks up against similar companies in Comparison International's database. But a more detailed comparative analysis follows, which includes graphs and scattergrams that show a company's strengths, compares it with other companies geographically or by industry, and decides what areas to focus on. Appleton-based Huzzard Systems, which specializes in application development and bar code integration, is one of the first New North companies to take advantage of the PROBE process. "This analysis forces you to look at your organization through a lens that accents the positive and helps (bring to) surface issues and opportunities that need to be addressed," says owner Gary Jahnke. "In just a few hours, we were able to get a meaningful snapshot of our business," Jahnke says. "I highly recommend it for any small- to medium-sized business that is serious about being profitable, sustaining growth, and creating a culture that strives to achieve perpetual success." » Highway 41 Corridor Brown, Calumet, Outagamie, Winnebago, Fond du Lac Counties Oshkosh Defense delivers record vehicle to military Oshkosh Defense this spring delivered the 15,000th truck from its Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) line to the U.S. Army and National Guard. Since being awarded the FMTV contract in 2010, Oshkosh has delivered more than 21,000 FMTV trucks and trailers. The U.S. Army and National Guard rely on these vehicles for both domestic and overseas operations such as disaster relief efforts or combat resupply missions. "The FMTV program is exemplary of the quality and value that Oshkosh provides to our military customers across all of our operations," says John Bryant, senior vice president of defense programs for Oshkosh Defense. "Our team has worked in harmony with the Army's goals and schedule from the onset to produce and deliver a vehicle with Oshkosh quality and performance, which provides soldiers with greater confidence as they perform their missions." As part of the FMTV contract, Oshkosh has delivered the FMTV Wrecker, with its tested retrieval system that leverages Oshkosh's extensive wrecker experience based on the U.S. Army's Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck. The five-year FMTV contract for the production of trucks and trailers, as well as support services and training, runs through fiscal year 2014. Oshkosh also is actively pursuing opportunities for its FMTV with U.S. allies and Development in the New North By S ean Johns on For links to economic development groups in the New North, visit www.thenewnorth.com/communitiesmap coalition partners around the world. (See Oshkosh story, p. 30) Visitor spending up for Fox Cities area Visitor spending in the Fox Cities increased 2.5 percent in 2012, surpassing $392 million. A new statewide study estimates that this direct spending generated $500 million in total business sales, sustained 7,150 jobs in the tourism industry and $125 million in income for Fox Cities residents. The economic impact study was conducted by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company. According to the data, visitors to the Fox Cities spent $115 million on food and beverage, $88 million on retail, $87 million on lodging and $52 million on recreation. The same study showed the tourism economy in Wisconsin picked up steam as well, with an impact on the state of $16.8 billion. In 2012, visitor spending also rose 4.7 percent to $10.4 billion. For the second straight year, the number of visitors to the state increased, with 96.6 million people visiting, generating total business sales of $16.8 billion across the state. Tourism also supported 184,000 jobs, with one in every 13 jobs in the state being sustained by tourism activity. Pfefferle Companies launches new partnership, brand Grubb & Ellis|Pfefferle will operate as Newmark Grubb Pfefferle in a new partnership between Pfefferle and the global advisory firm Knight Frank, the companies announced. With 15 brokers, Newmark Grubb Pfefferle has [continued ] » J u n e 2 013 • Insight | 13