Creating a new Blue
Sheboygan resort to focus more on the waterfront, luring corporate groups

Just as its website notes, the Blue Harbor Resort & Spa is a whole new shade of blue.
And that’s a happy and relaxing blue, for the record. While the resort, which opened in 2004, is well known among the family-set for its waterpark and, to an extent, its spectacular views of Lake Michigan, it hasn’t fully capitalized on its natural amenities.
Until now.
The resort, which was purchased in 2011 by Claremont New Frontier LLC, is undergoing a repositioning of sorts. While it will continue to appeal and cater to its family-oriented clientele, efforts are well under way to also capitalize on couples as well as golfers, boaters, other water appreciators and corporate groups.
By March, the resort will feature new, more sophisticated furnishings in its 182 guest suites, refreshed with the likes of new bedding and HDTVs; a completely renovated lobby with sweeping views of the lake; and a new restaurant and lobby bar. By May, outdoor improvements will be evident in the doubling of the pool deck and additional Adirondack chairs for relaxing; as well as addition of a pool bar, bocce ball courts and putting green.  More

 

Gresham’s Bisley keeping busy
Started as small shop, solid-surface fabricator now employs 17

By Nathan Falk
nfalk@thebusinessnewsonline.com

A small company from a small town really can make a big difference as proven by Bisley Fabrication in Gresham.
Bisley fabricates and installs surfaces and wall cladding, focusing on solid surface (such as Corian) and quartz as their main products.
“We install countertops, wet walls (shower walls), and sometimes we do decorative accents commercially, like decorative wall cladding to accent a reception area,” said owner Kate Bisley.
The business, which has been named the 2011 Manufacturer of the Year by the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce, was started in 1987 by Kate’s father Jim Bisley. It was never Kate’s original intention to work in the family’s business, but she came back six years ago to take the helm and grow the business even further.
One of the best ways they’ve grown, Bisley said, is through investing in technology and systems.
“We work with a software development company making software for this industry,” she said. “Through efficient scheduling we’ve cut our labor costs by about 30 percent since the 2007 industry down-turn.” More

 

People who make a difference
Merry backs the PAC

By Betty Wall
bwall@thebusinessnewsonline.com

Barb Merry is passionate about the arts. She and her husband, Chuck, have been enthusiastic advocates and supporters of the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center since its founding in 2002. A senior broker associate with Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group in Appleton, Merry has served on the PAC’s board of directors since 2003.
She is excited about the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center because it has brought so much to the area. “The PAC presents such a variety of performances, allowing people to enjoy the arts, from rock music to symphonic music, to Broadway shows, comedians and politicians. It appeals to a very wide audience and there’s truly something for everybody,” Merry said.
She believes everyone comes to a performance with a certain perspective and leaves with his or her individual experience. “I am passionate about the arts because they are unique for every person in the audience. It is a very individual experience,” Merry said. More

 

Growth Strategies
Truckland hits the accelerator

By Harry Maier
hmaier@thebusinessnewsonline.com

After six years of operations, A&K Truckland, 1023 S. Huron Road in Green Bay’s I-43 Business Park, is expanding its facilities.
The partnership operating the company consists of Al Arnoldussen and Kurt Halbach. They joined in early 2005 and have many years experience in the pickup,  SUV and auto after-market accessories.
Arnoldussen handles most of the daily operations, and Halbach focuses on the business segment of A&K Truckland Inc. Both work closely together to make the business operate as smoothly as possible and limiting growing pains with the expansion.
Both insist that customer service is the key to the company’s success with listening to what the customer is saying being the key element.
“We don’t want to forget that as we move to expand our operations,” Halbach said.
In July 2005, they opened A&K Truckland and have nearly completed the expansion of their showroom and shop areas.
When the company opened it had 6,000 square feet of shop space and 3,000 square feet of office and showroom space. The current project has resulted in another 6,000 square feet for the new installation center,  2,500 square feet for an expanded showroom, relocation of the offices, employee area, customer lounge and waiting area. More

The List
Organizations that donate the most to political campaigns  More