MONROE — The Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce’s annual contest, “Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin” has a local business reach the top 16. Custom built metal benches by Fritz Wenger and Production Grinding & Machining of Monroe received the ninth most votes of the 130 entries into the contest.
“It makes you feel pretty good,” Wenger said Sept. 26, the day after the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) announced the results of the opening round of voting.
Wenger, a Monroe native, started the business in 1997, and demand for his products have picked up over time. He said it has now made almost 1,000 total custom pieces, and average about three a week.
His works can be seen across Monroe and Green County. They are also sprinkled around the state and Midwest as well. Twining Park in Monroe has a dozen benches alone, plus some tables. Rotary Gardens in Janesville also has several benches.
“The furthest away is probably Indiana, then there’s Minneapolis and Ashland,” Wenger said.
It takes about 6-8 weeks for him to turn around a project. Many projects are benches, while others have been signs, and lawn and garden pieces. They will fabricate or repair different items, too, like machinery, trailers and wagons. Wenger said the business built the stand that the helicopter at the Green County Veterans Park sits on.
“I like to talk with people, and then I can work on a design especially for them,” Wenger said.
Sometimes that might mean a portrait of the family farm with a tractor and house, other times it is an eagle, a trout, canoe or shapes.
“With today’s powder coating, it’s almost unlimited what we can do with color or design,” Wenger said.
While the product is rewarding for the customer — be it a family, an organization like a Lion’s Club or Green County Fall Nationals, or for a city park or school — Wenger said he gets a lot of satisfaction himself just for creating each custom piece.
“I tell people I have the best job I’ve ever had,” Wenger said.
Established in 1997, Production Grinding & Machining is a steel welding and fabrication shop located at N3193 Aebly Road, Monroe. Wenger can be reached at 608-897-8575, 608-325-7377 or by email at fwenger@pg-m.com.
About the contest
Since 2016, WMC and Johnson Financial Group have partnered to determine the ‘Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin’. The popular competition highlights Wisconsin’s robust manufacturing industry, which contributes over $70 billion in total economic output to the state.
This year, the contest organizers are refreshing the program with a new logo and rebranded website as a nod to the modernization of the manufacturing industry as a whole. The ninth annual contest will culminate by crowning a Wisconsin-made product as the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin.
How to vote ...
The first round of Manufacturing Madness will consist of eight head-to-head matchups that will determine the Top 8 Coolest Things Made in Wisconsin. Individuals can begin voting on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 8 a.m. and voting will conclude at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
To cast a ballot in all eight matchups, manufacturers, consumers, employees and other Wisconsinites can visit www.madeinwis.com.
- Visit www.madeinwis.com and click “Vote Now!” on the homepage.
- Select “Click Here to Vote in Round 1”
- Click “Vote” under your preferred product in each matchup
- Don’t forget to scroll through using the “Next Group” arrow to cast a vote in each of the 8 matchups!
- Come back each day and do it again. You can vote once per device.
Contest timeline ...
■ August 19 to September 6: Nomination Period
■ September 16-24: Popular Vote to Determine Top 16
■ September 25: Announce the Top 16 via Livestream
■ September 26 - October 1: 1st Round of Bracket Voting
■ October 2: Announce the Top 8
■ October 3-8: 2nd Round of Bracket Voting
■ October 9: Announce the Top 4
■ October 10-17: Final Round of Voting
■ October 17: Announce Winner at Business Day in Madison
The Top 16 Coolest Things Made in Wisconsin:
#1 Seed: Ukraine Candle, Door County Candle Company, Sturgeon Bay vs. #16 Seed: Military Medals and Insignia, Medalcraft Mint Inc., Green Bay
#2 Seed: Dauntless Evaporator, Smoky Lake Maple Products, Hilbert vs. #15 Seed: Good Ass Hair Day Dry Shampoo, A Good Ass Hair Day LLC, Eau Claire
#3 Seed: Carbliss, Carbliss, Plymouth vs. #14 Seed: Minocqua Popcorn and Puffs, Minocqua Popcorn and Puffs, Minocqua
#4 Seed: American Heritage 6” Tobacco Safety Toe Work Boot, Thorogood, Merrill vs. #13 Seed: Jolly Good Soda, Krier Foods, Random Lake
#5 Seed: The Works — Burger Blend, PS Seasoning, Iron Ridge vs. #12 Seed: Bravo Paper Towels, Sellars Absorbent Materials, Milwaukee
#6 Seed: Cougar Paper, Domtar, Rothschild vs. #11 Seed: Revo, Vulture Systems, Menomonee Falls
#7 Seed: Oaks Chocolate Liqueur, Sturgeon Spirits, Oshkosh vs. #10 Seed: X739 Signature Series Lawn Tractor, John Deere, Horicon
#8 Seed: Southpaw Rod Holders, Classic Gears and Machining, Denmark vs.#9 Seed: Custom Built Metal Benches, Production Grinding & Machining, Monroe
