The history of We Energies dates as far back as 1896 when they began as the Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Co. Since then many changes within the company have occurred, including their name, which was changed to We Energies from Wisconsin Electric-Wisconsin Gas in 2002.
We Energies serves more than a million electric customers in Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and more than a million natural gas customers in Wisconsin. In addition, they serve about 2,500 water customers and 500 steam customers in the Milwaukee area.
Their service area covers over 18,000 square miles in Wisconsin and 5,000 square miles in the Upper Peninsula. We Energies employs 5,700 people with approximately 350 of those in Michigan. This equates to about $1,000,000 economic impact in the UP for 2004 which is expected to grow to approximately $8,000,000 in 2005.
Kleiman Pump & Well Drilling, Inc. was founded by William & Elaine Kleiman in 1946. In 1961, the official reins of the company were passed over to Harry Kleiman who, with his wife Kristen, continued to build the Company to the size it is today.
With 22 employees, Kleiman is a progressive and well respected company in the water well industry. The company is fully licensed to operate in both Michigan and Wisconsin as drillers and pump installers, as well as, holding a mechanical contractor’s license in Michigan. Kleiman provides diamond drilling services along with rotary percussion mineral exploration drilling. Their customers include private, municipal, industrial and irrigation companies.
The company continues to remain in the family as Erik Kleiman, a third generation Kleiman, begins his transition to management.
R.W. Fernstrum & Company is a global leader in the engineering, development and manufacturing of cooling technologies for the marine industry. By focusing their efforts exclusively on marine cooling, this third generation family-owned business has built a respected reputation throughout the industry for outstanding quality and service to their customers.
R. W. Fernstrum & Company is a business built on innovation. The founder, Robert W. Fernstrum, received a patent for the first rectangular tube keel cooler in 1945, setting the standard for keel cooling for the United States Army and Navy. Since then, they have continued the tradition of bringing the latest technology to the marine industry, earning more keel cooling related patents than any other company. Today the Fernstrum family is still at the helm of the company, ensuring that all of their marine cooling products provide their customers with the best in efficiency, quality, and ease of installation.
Argonics, Inc. is a local manufacturer and processor of polyurethane plastics. Located in Marquette, the company has been in business since 1994. Argonics started out with only 9 employees, growing to over 65 employees to date including its own engineering and tooling development departments. Through the years, Argonics has developed, produced and held numerous patents.
Argonics currently makes over 5,000 different performance based polyurethane products and ships to a diverse range of industries around the globe. Industries benefiting from Argonics products include concrete, aggregate, agricultural, mining and construction equipment. In 1999, Argonics was honored as the “Michigan Best Small Business of the Year” by the Michigan Small Business Development Center.
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