2017 is off to a great start for the Wisconsin Agricultural Education Center (WAEC). WAEC is pleased to announce Stecker Machine Company, Inc. (SMC) has committed $100,000 to the Create. Cultivate. Educate. capital campaign.
The company was founded in 1973 by Gerald Stecker as a tool and die shop. SMC achieved ISO 9002 Certification in 1999 which opened the door for working directly with large manufacturers of industrial and agricultural equipment. Then in 2007 as the company continued to innovate, they expanded their business with larger equipment which gave them the ability to machine large military parts and industrial and agricultural transmission components. Today they have a keen focus on diversifying their business to include companies that are producing transmissions using hybrid technology.
“In many aspects, SMC is a neighbor to WAEC,” claims Julie Maurer, WAEC Board of Directors President. “They are not just located down the road from our site but they have been partnering with the agricultural industry for decades. Their commitment to innovative technology, quality and process improvement has helped carry out many advancements in farming implements. As a producer, I am grateful for their reliable components that keep us moving on the farm.”
“We are proud to invest in WAEC, it’s an investment in our future.” said Brian Stecker, co-president at Stecker Machine and son of company founder, Gerald Stecker. “Even though we have played a more behind-the-scenes role, we are proud of the contributions Stecker has made to agriculture and we want to be a part of telling the story of how vast the reach of the industry is and how important our collective efforts are to feeding the world.”
“We are so excited to welcome another regional leader to our list of generous supporters. SMC has always been committed to giving back to our community and their leadership in WAEC’s campaign has helped us cross over the $11 million milestone towards our $13 million goal,” Kim Kowieski, WAEC Director of Operations, gratefully expressed, “They are a true neighbor in every sense of the word.”