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Oct 07, 2023

BizScene: Made

MANITOWOC - Inside Jagemann Stamping’s 225,000-square-foot factory in the city’s

MANITOWOC - Inside Jagemann Stamping's 225,000-square-foot factory in the city's west-side industrial park, workers are busy churning out a range of parts found under the hoods of automobiles around the globe.

The made-in-Manitowoc components include stamped-metal connections used on automotive hoses, along with other parts that are so ubiquitous — you’d be hard pressed to find a car in North American without one.

"If you own an automobile, you have a part on it that was made here," said Tom Jagemann, the family-owned company's CEO and third-generation leader.

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The company's success in the automotive industry has it continuing to grow as it celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, though it is Jagemann's ongoing push to diversify that has it well positioned for the years to come.

Following the recession, the automotive market accounted for about 90 percent of the business, whereas today it's about three-quarters thanks to its growing sporting goods division, which includes brass ammunition casings and magazines.

Jagemann now employs 380 people in Manitowoc, up about 100 or so since its expansion in 2013, and another 95 at its Tennessee plant.

The company's continued growth is something company leaders take great pride in given Jagemann's long history.

"There is a saying that the first generation starts it, and the second generation grows it, and the third generation destroys it," Tom said. "I always said, ‘not on my watch.’"

The late William P. Jagemann, started the company in 1946 and began producing ferrules used in securing leak-tight hose connections. He was joined by his son — and Tom's dad — William T. Jagemann, 91, who still serves on the board.

Today, the elder Jagemann, who became the company's third employee after returning home from World War II, marvels at the company's evolution beginning in the upstairs of a three-car garage, to its current incarnation at a sprawling industrial site.

"Walking around now, seeing how we do things, the progress we’ve made and the product lines we have … it's hard to fathom at times," William said.

The company's mainstay remains fluid connectors used on fueling lines, transmissions, air conditioners and other automotive systems. It also makes a range of other products for the auto industry, such as the shift levers for the new Ford F-150, and parts for various home products.

In recent years, they’ve begun manufacturing parts for electric cars and other components related to higher fuel economy requirements.

"If we don't get our parts in electric cars, our business will go away," Tom said.

The company also continues making significant investments in its labor force and facilities to continue attracting skilled workers. They recently added a new lunchroom that's eschewed vending machines in favor of higher-quality food laid out in a retail-style display.

Going forward, Jagemann said they’re beginning to look at other markets, including the medical field and all-terrain vehicles, as they seek out additional diversification opportunities.

They’ve also begun planning for significant investments in automation, which Jagemann said would be used to land additional work, rather than reduce its labor force.

"I still remember when our first machine showed up and we had 30 people in the company and it was an all-hand operation. They looked at that and went, ‘there go our jobs,’" he said. "Well, we went from 30 people to 450 because we did that."

To submit a business-related story idea, tip or question about something you’d like to see covered in BizScene, contact Josh Lintereur at 920-453-5147, [email protected] or on Twitter @joshlintereur.