Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/285855
w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m A p r i l 2 0 14 • I nsIgh t | 37 i n s i g h t o n E c o n o m i c d E v E l o p m E n t B y M a r y B e t h M a t z e k I nnovation drives business success and nowhere is that truer than Fond du Lac County, where two major employers are growing, thanks in part to new product development. Mercury Marine and Alliance Laundry systems recently completed expansion projects and are already making plans for additional growth. Mercury Marine – the county's largest employer – remains a strong economic engine for the region. since 2009, it has hired 1,500 employees and recently completed a $20 million expansion that includes more space for research and development. e company also spent millions on capital investments and $300 million in research and development to support the design and manufacture of new products. Last summer, the company announced plans for another expansion, this one worth $30 million. e Fond du Lac County Board, however, voted against giving the company a $10 million loan to help with the project last fall. Company officials said at the time the expansion will still happen. "Mercury Marine is very important to our community and they continue to make a huge impact here," says steve Jenkins, president of the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation. "With the expansion they've completed, they have brought more R&D work here and I think we will continue to see more innovative products come from them. Innovation is what makes our businesses successful. ey say the latest expansion will happen even without the county loan. It just will be a longer timeframe than first discussed." Mercury Marine is also marking 75 years of business in 2014 and has multiple events lined up to celebrate, says President Mark schwabero. e company will celebrate in ways that "reflect our strong heritage of innovation and leadership in the marine industry," he said in a statement, adding the company launched a micro website Forward charge Large Fond du Lac County manufacturers eye expansions The main entrance at the new Ripon Medical Center is taking shape as work continues on schedule. Patients and visitors will be able to access all hospital and clinic services through one central entrance point; however, a separate exit will provide a discrete departure for surgical patients. C o u r t e s y o f A g n e s i A n H e A lt H C A r e [continued] » "Ripon has been waiting for a new hospital for a long time and we worked with area residents on the location options as well as ways to improve its offerings." – K a t h e r i n e v e r g o s , R i p o n M e d i c a l C e n t e r 's c h i e f o p e r a t i n g o f f i c e r, o n R i p o n 's n e w 1 2 0 , 0 0 0 - s q u a r e - f o o t h o s p i t a l s e t t o o p e n t h i s y e a r