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24 N E W N O R T H , I N C . research, education and law as it relates to stormwater management, green infrastructure, extracting renewable energy from waste products and adapting to climate change. Now at 120 companies, Torinus says such a cluster could emerging strengths? You need bottom- up development and top-down support and strategy." In Milwaukee, for example, there is an emerging industry cluster around fresh water, focusing on water technology, contracts. e division of Oshkosh Corp. scaled back not only its workforce, but the purchases for parts and expertise it was making from regional suppliers. LOOKING FOR EMERGING CLUSTERS Efforts are already under way to help the affected companies become part of a broader, more diverse supply chain. John Torinus, one of the keynote speakers at this year's New North Summit, stresses the need for a more strategic approach to diversification. In the past, most major initiatives have been directed at manufacturing and agriculture, which has prompted him to question whether the region and the state have been diverse enough. "Strategy is about choices, and you have to figure out where you want to play and don't want to play. You can't be all things to all people," Torinus says. "Where are your existing strengths and DIVERSE ECONOMY cont. "The skills in many of our industries can readily transfer from one sector to the next, which has certainly helped us adjust to the different business cycles. We can make things better than anyone else." Ann Franz, strategic partnerships manager at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and director of the NEW Manufacturing Alliance 920.731.6631 | www.mennlaw.com W hen we go to court on your behalf, it's with one of the most experienced teams in the state behind us. Tenured litigators with decades of trial experience in a range of business and personal injury matters go to work for you. The litigation team of Menn Law brings knowledge, proven expertise and courtroom experience to your legal matter. Trust is confirmed at Menn Law. The Attorneys of Menn Law. when you go to court, take 350 years of experience with you.