At CEDC fostering strong partnerships is central to our BEAR mission. Our recent board meeting, hosted at Automation Displays Inc. (ADi)’s Eau Claire campus, provided a dynamic platform for strategic discussions, relationship building, and exploring opportunities to drive economic growth in the Chippewa Valley. The meeting also welcomed new board members Mark Bergh of B&B Electric, Matt Guse of MRS Machining Co, and Jason Plante of Market & Johnson, whose expertise strengthens our collaborative efforts.
The gathering brought together our CEDC board members who come from several different industries, each bringing their own unique perspectives to the table. The agenda featured our CEDC Board Meeting, roundtable discussions, and a tour of ADi’s state-of-the-art facility, creating an environment for collaboration on shared challenges and innovative solutions.
Founded in 1971 by two engineers from a Minneapolis OEM, ADi started as a graphic control panel manufacturer. Under successive leadership, with Brenden Carroll taking full ownership in 2019, the company has grown into a global leader in custom electrical control and display panels. Based in Eau Claire, ADi designs and fabricates products like electrical control panels, mosaic mimic systems, smoke-control panels, annunciators, and touchscreen interfaces. These serve industries such as building automation, fire safety, detention, oil & gas, and data centers, with a customer base spanning North America to the Middle East. ADi holds UL 508, UL 864, ISO 9001, and ISO 27001 certifications, reflecting its commitment to quality and security.
Discussions during the meeting focused on key regional priorities, including expanding workforce pipelines through internships and apprenticeships, leveraging ADi’s in-house engineering expertise for local projects, and improving access to housing to support equitable growth. Board members explored ADi’s technical capabilities, from embedded controls and PLC programming to mosaic mimic panel deployments in complex environments like stadiums, data centers, and offshore platforms.
The facility tour offered a firsthand look at ADi’s integrated operations, showcasing engineering, metal fabrication, panel assembly, and live system testing under one roof. Attendees saw how ADi supports major integrators such as Johnson Controls, Siemens, Honeywell, Trane, and Schneider Electric, reinforcing its role as a vital regional and global player.
The board meeting underscored the value of collaboration in addressing challenges and charting strategic pathways for growth. We extend our gratitude to Automation Displays Inc. for hosting and to all board members, including our new members, for their insightful contributions. Together, we are building a connected, resilient, and innovative Chippewa Valley economy.