Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce

What Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce does

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) is Wisconsin's combined state chamber of commerce, state manufacturers' association, and state safety council, founded in 1911 and headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. The organization represents approximately 3,800 member companies spanning every sector of Wisconsin's economy — manufacturing, banking, construction, financial services, agriculture, defense, and technology — and is consistently ranked as the #1 lobbying organization in the state. WMC operates through five wholly-owned affiliates: the WMC Foundation (workforce development, Future Wisconsin Project, Wisconsin Business World), Wisconsin Safety Council (safety training and services), WMC Insurance (health plans, dental, group life, and business coverage for over 200 companies and 15,000+ employees), the WMC Litigation Center (legal advocacy, expanded in 2021 via acquisition of Great Lakes Legal Foundation), and Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives (WCCE), which serves the state's 265+ local chambers.

WMC's core product is advocacy and membership services: legislative representation, policy research, member-only communications, and direct access to Wisconsin policymakers on issues including civil justice reform, healthcare costs, taxes, regulation, workforce, energy, and environment. The organization supplements advocacy with annual research products (Wisconsin Employer Survey, Wisconsin Competitiveness Report), award and recognition programs (Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year, Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin, Business Friend of the Environment, Manufacturing Hall of Fame), a peer network for senior executives (Executive Forum), and events such as Business Day and the American Economic Interest Summit.

WMC generates revenue primarily through recurring membership dues from approximately 3,800 member companies, supplemented by insurance premiums from its for-profit subsidiary (WMC Insurance) and event sponsorship and registration fees. Distribution is direct-to-employer via the membership sales motion, website recruitment, member referrals, and field engagement across Wisconsin. The organization has been led by President & CEO Kurt R. Bauer since March 2011 and operates without external investors, private equity, or parent company control, governed by a 52-member Board of Directors.

Name

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce

Legal name

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce

Website

https://wmc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1911

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce is Wisconsin's state chamber of commerce, manufacturers' association, and safety council, representing approximately 3,800 member companies through advocacy, insurance, safety training, and workforce development services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Trade Association / Chamber of Commerce

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Product, Safety & Quality Compliance (incl. Regulatory Affairs) (BPAHAFAM)

Keywords

• Business association services
• Chamber of commerce
• Legislative advocacy
• Manufacturers association
• Safety council training

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: WMC generates primary revenue through membership fees from approximately 3,800 member companies across all sectors of Wisconsin's economy. Membership provides advocacy representation, legislative access, and information services.
2. WMC Insurance Services: For-profit insurance subsidiary provides health plans, dental, group life and other coverage to member companies, covering over 200 companies and 15,000 employees.
3. Event Revenue: Events including Business Day, Manufacturer of the Year Awards, WCCE Annual Conference & Retreat, and other programs generate revenue through sponsorships and registration fees.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce is a non-profit membership-based business association operating as Wisconsin's combined state chamber of commerce, state manufacturers' association, and state safety council. The organization represents 3,800+ member companies through legislative advocacy, networking, and information services, and runs affiliated entities delivering insurance products, safety training, education/workforce programs, legal advocacy, and research publications.

Product overview

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) operates as a combined state chamber of commerce, state manufacturers' association, and state safety council. WMC is not a technology product company but rather a business advocacy and membership organization representing over 3,800 member companies. The organization provides advocacy services, membership programs, and operates affiliated entities including WMC Foundation, Wisconsin Safety Council, WMC Insurance (health, dental, group life, and business insurance), WMC Litigation Center, and the Executive Forum peer network. WMC also runs award programs (Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin, Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year, Business Friend of the Environment, Manufacturing Hall of Fame), publishes the annual Wisconsin Employer Survey and Wisconsin Competitiveness Report, and hosts events including the annual Business Day. The organization serves as the state's primary business voice, advocating on issues including civil justice, education, energy, environment, healthcare, HR, regulatory reform, small business, taxes, transportation, and workforce.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WMC Membership Core membership program providing legislative advocacy representation, policy updates, networking, and member communications for Wisconsin businesses across all sectors.
• WMC Insurance For-profit insurance subsidiary of WMC providing health plans, dental, group life, and business insurance coverage to more than 200 companies and 15,000+ employees.
• Wisconsin Safety Council Training & Services Wisconsin's leading provider of safety training and products, offering public and private training programs and safety services to Wisconsin employers.
• WMC Foundation Programs (Future Wisconsin Project, Wisconsin Business World, Wisconsin Leads) Affiliated foundation offering workforce development and education programs including Future Wisconsin Project, Wisconsin Business World, Wisconsin Leads, and the Wisconsin Competitiveness Report research series.
• WMC Litigation Center WMC's litigation affiliate that files briefs and participates in legal cases affecting Wisconsin businesses and the regulated community.
• Executive Forum Long-term peer community for Wisconsin CEOs, Presidents, COOs, and senior business leaders featuring monthly sessions, expert speakers, and trusted peer connection.
• WCCE (Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives) Programs WMC affiliate promoting business and competitive climate by educating and equipping local chamber of commerce professionals, including WCCE Annual Conference & Retreat and Spring Training.
• Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Awards Annual awards program recognizing outstanding Wisconsin manufacturers across various categories and sizes.
• Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin Annual statewide competition celebrating Wisconsin manufacturing products through a bracket-style tournament called Manufacturing Madness.
• Wisconsin Business Day Annual flagship WMC event held at Monona Terrace in Madison for business leaders, policymakers, and members.
• American Economic Interest Summit WMC economic summit convening business and policy leaders around Wisconsin economic issues.

Quantifiable outcome

• Representing 3,800 member companies with 500,000+ employees
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Individual Coverage HRA Plan ProviderminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 November 2025WMC announced a partnership to offer discounted Individual Coverage HRA (ICHRA) plans to member businesses. This partnership provides affordable health coverage options for Wisconsin employers.
• Price Transparency for Patients Act CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2025WMC joined a coalition of Wisconsin business leaders supporting the Price Transparency for Patients Act legislation. Partnered with Wisconsin state legislators including Sen. Julian Bradley, Sen. Mary Felzkowski, and Rep. Bob Wittke.
• Midwest Manufacturing AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2025WMC partnered with the Midwest Manufacturing Association to commission the Wisconsin Manufacturing Trade and Foreign Investment Report. The partnership produced comprehensive data on Wisconsin's manufacturing exports, employment, and foreign investment.
• American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 July 2024WMC and AFPM conducted joint polling in Wisconsin on gas-car ban policies. The partnership produced statewide polling on energy policy issues important to Wisconsin employers. Chet Thompson, AFPM President and CEO, issued joint statements with WMC President & CEO Kurt R. Bauer.
• Johnson Financial GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJohnson Financial Group has partnered with WMC for 10 years as the title sponsor of the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest. The partnership celebrates Wisconsin manufacturing and highlights products created in the state. Jim Popp, President and CEO of Johnson Financial Group, serves as a co-host for the annual contest.
• WMC FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWMC Foundation is WMC's affiliated organization that runs programs including the Future Wisconsin Project, Wisconsin Business World, and Wisconsin Leads. Wade Goodsell serves as WMC Foundation President. The Foundation released the Wisconsin Competitiveness Report.
• Wisconsin Safety CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWisconsin Safety Council is WMC's affiliated organization serving as the state's leading provider of safety training and products. The Council operates as a subsidiary providing public and private training programs and safety services.
• WMC InsurancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWMC Insurance is the for-profit subsidiary of WMC providing health plans, dental, group life, and business insurance. The subsidiary provides coverage for more than 200 companies and 15,000+ employees. Robert Baker serves as Senior Director.
• WMC Litigation CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWMC Litigation Center is WMC's affiliate focused on litigation efforts. The Litigation Center expanded in 2021 with acquisition of the Great Lakes Legal Foundation and welcomed Scott Rosenow as Executive Director.
• Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Executives (WCCE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCCE is WMC's affiliate organization promoting business and competitive business climate by educating and equipping local chambers of commerce professionals. Becky Bartoszek, President and CEO of Fox Cities Chamber, serves as WCCE Chairman.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Safety Council: National organization providing safety training and advocacy; comparable to WMC's Wisconsin Safety Council affiliate in delivering employer safety services at scale.
• National Association of Manufacturers (NAM): National trade association representing U.S. manufacturers; comparable to WMC because WMC serves as Wisconsin's manufacturers' association affiliate and shares the policy advocacy mission, though NAM operates at federal vs. state level.
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: The largest business advocacy organization in the U.S.; WMC functions as Wisconsin's state chamber affiliate in the same federation model, sharing advocacy and policy influence as core functions.

Direct peers

• Michigan Manufacturers Association: Michigan's state-level manufacturers' trade association; the closest analog to WMC's state manufacturers' association role, serving a comparable manufacturing-intensive neighboring state economy.
• California Chamber of Commerce: California's largest broad-based business advocacy organization, similar in structure to WMC in delivering policy advocacy, legislative tracking, and member services for in-state employers.
• Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry: Pennsylvania's statewide business advocacy organization; structurally similar to WMC in representing cross-sector employers with a focus on regulatory and policy influence.
• Texas Association of Business: State-level business advocacy and lobby organization for Texas employers; directly comparable to WMC in providing policy advocacy, member services, and grassroots mobilization on behalf of in-state employers.
• Ohio Chamber of Commerce: Ohio's state chamber of commerce representing employers; comparable to WMC's combined chamber and manufacturers' association model in a similarly manufacturing-heavy Midwestern state.
• Illinois Manufacturers' Association: Illinois state manufacturers association providing advocacy and policy services; direct functional peer to WMC's manufacturers' association role in another Midwestern industrial state.

Regional players

• Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM): State employer association in Massachusetts providing advocacy and member services; comparable operating model to WMC but serving employers in a different regional economy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wisconsinmc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/WMCTV
• Facebookfacebook.com/wisconsinmc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wisconsin-manufacturers-and-commerce
• Instagraminstagram.com/wisconsinmanufacturerscommerce

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce