Milwaukee’s Path from Industrial Roots to Innovation Hub
Milwaukee’s water technology economy traces back roughly 150 years to breweries, tanneries, and meatpacking plants that created sustained demand for pumps, valves, meters, and pipes.
In this episode of waterloop, Karen Frost, executive director of The Water Council, explains how that industrial history continues to shape the city’s leading role in developing and scaling water technology.
Water-intensive industries created demand for specialized equipment, and over time southeastern Wisconsin developed a dense network of water technology manufacturers.
Two of its most prominent companies, A.O. Smith and Badger Meter, became central to organizing that network into The Water Council in 2009.
Today, the nonprofit connects established manufacturers with startups, utilities, researchers, and international companies seeking routes into the U.S. market.