Highlights the influence of businesses in Rock County, Wisconsin, on financial development and expansion
Dr. Phil Greenwood, author of "Founded in Wisconsin," has launched a new series that spotlights companies in the Beloit and Janesville area, as well as other cities across the state. The series aims to explore common traits among businesses that have survived for over 50 years and remain largely independently run.
The companies featured in the series are all based in Rock County and run mostly independently. Some examples include ABC Supply, Woodman's Markets, Beloit College, Blain's Farm and Fleet, Fairbanks Morse Defense, JP Cullen Construction, and Gray's Brewing.
Dr. Greenwood noted that these companies share several key characteristics. One of the most notable is their multi-generational family leadership and succession planning, which sustains the company culture and operational continuity. Another common trait is their strong commitment to serving local communities, fostering customer loyalty over decades.
Many of the companies in the series emphasize quality, reliability, and relationship-building with customers rather than pursuing rapid growth or outside ownership. For instance, Packerland Rent-A-Mat, a third-generation family business that has been serving customers reliably and locally since 1969, has a strong family-oriented culture and long-term employee retention.
Similarly, the Jerry Smith Farm, established in 1975, serves multiple generations of customers and projects a strong local identity. Badger Alloys, a family-owned manufacturer that has been in operation for over 50 years, combines traditional manufacturing with next-generation practices and invests in local community engagement.
In addition to these shared characteristics, Dr. Greenwood mentioned that all companies in the series are privately held. He also noted that a bit of luck and timing play a factor in the success of these companies.
Dr. Greenwood's book aims to delve deeper into these common traits and provide insights into what makes these companies successful. After covering the Beloit and Janesville area, he will move on to Eau Claire and eventually Green Bay.
Before embarking on this series, Dr. Greenwood previously taught at the UW-Madison business school. His expertise and passion for understanding the unique characteristics of Wisconsin businesses make him an ideal author for this series. By highlighting these family-run businesses, "Founded in Wisconsin" offers a glimpse into the heart of Wisconsin's business community and the values that drive its success.
[1] Packerland Rent-A-Mat: https://www.packerlandrentamat.com/ [2] Prasser-Kleczka Funeral Home: https://www.prasser-kleczka.com/ [3] Jerry Smith Farm: https://www.jerrysmithfarm.com/ [4] Badger Alloys: https://www.badgeralloys.com/ [5] Dr. Phil Greenwood's website: https://philgreenwood.net/
- The companies featured in Dr. Phil Greenwood's series, such as Packerland Rent-A-Mat, Prasser-Kleczka Funeral Home, Jerry Smith Farm, and Badger Alloys, are privately held businesses that maintain a strong commitment to serving local communities and prioritize quality, reliability, and relationship-building with customers.
- These long-standing family-run businesses, including Beloit College, Blain's Farm and Fleet, Fairbanks Morse Defense, JP Cullen Construction, and Gray's Brewing, also share traits like multi-generational family leadership and succession planning, which sustains the company culture and operational continuity, and a focus on local community engagement.
