Local business leaders join a panel discussion
Alliance Manufacturing was honored to take part in a recent business panel at Fond du Lac High School, where local executives were invited to share their experiences with students enrolled in the Intro to Business dual-credit course. The class, taught by instructor Kim Braatz, partners with Moraine Park Technical College to bring college-level business curriculum directly into the high school classroom.
Representing Alliance Manufacturing was Ken Manninen, one of the company’s founding members. Ken provided students with an inside look at how external business factors—from competition and tariffs to economic shifts—impact company decisions and long-term planning.
Overview
During the discussion, Ken shared examples from Alliance’s 30+ years in business, including:
How recessions have influenced strategy and workforce decisions
The uncertainty surrounding the early days of COVID-19
Becoming designated an essential business through national defense projects
Developing the FlexSafe shopping cart sanitizing system during the pandemic
The importance of internal communication through his quarterly “SUITE Talks”
Condensed Transcript: Key Highlights
Ken:
Hi, I’m Ken Manninen from Alliance Manufacturing. I’m here at Fond du Lac High School for a business panel with students to share insights about real-world business challenges, from competition and tariffs to innovation and workforce communication.
Kim Braatz:
The class is Intro to Business, a dual-credit course with Moraine Park Technical College. Today, local executives are discussing how external factors affect their companies.
Ken:
Alliance Manufacturing builds engineered-to-order industrial cleaning systems. We employ 50 people and serve customers like Mercury Marine and companies that manufacture smartphones. Many don’t realize how essential clean components are in manufacturing.
Kim:
How does a recession impact your business?
Ken:
Recessions are challenging. I’ve seen several in my 32 years, including the Great Recession. Companies must strategize carefully to keep employees working and maintain operations.
Kim:
How did COVID-19 affect your business?
Ken:
COVID created uncertainty at first, but we continued fulfilling critical orders, including for national defense. We also innovated, developing the FlexSafe shopping cart sanitizing system—an idea that kept employees engaged even though it didn’t generate revenue.
Ken:
Communication is vital. Each quarter, I hold SUITE Talks—Sustainable, Unique, Innovative, Timely, Economical—to share company updates, customer information, and the business outlook so everyone understands the bigger picture.
Ken:
A big thank-you to Kim Braatz and the students. Opportunities like this are a great way to give back to the community and inspire future leaders.
Take-aways
Students also learned how industrial cleaning systems play a crucial role in manufacturing processes, supporting everything from marine engines to components used in smartphones.
The conversation highlighted the importance of adaptability, thoughtful decision-making, and open communication—key principles that help guide Alliance Manufacturing through changing business environments.
Alliance Manufacturing would like to extend a special thank-you to instructor Kim Braatz for the invitation and for providing students with valuable real-world learning experiences. Engaging with the community and supporting future leaders is a responsibility we are proud to take part in.
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