Briess

Sustainability: Our Communities

Being a good neighbor

At Briess, we take pride being a fifth generation family company, with a rich history in malting and food ingredients. A decades-long family tradition lends to a sense of connection that extends to our employees and the communities in which we operate:

We strive to be an employer of choice, providing living wages and family-oriented benefits that promote health and well-being. The communities where we work are foundational to our way of life, and our engagement reflects a humble appreciation for the privilege of being a good neighbor. Our roots run deep, as does our commitment to support local charities, work cooperatively with schools and other businesses, and in partnership with municipalities. Our ability to optimize energy and water usage is greatly enhanced with cooperative efforts forged with local and regional utilities.

Snapshot of partnerships, engagement and support

  • Since 1998, Briess has helped provide employment training and opportunities for clients of the New Hope Center, a non-profit organization in Chilton that provides services for local residents with cognitive or other disabilities. In addition to contracting with the New Hope Center’s sheltered employment workshop for small packaging needs, Briess also provides onsite supported employment opportunities to several clients.
  • Briess has entered into a five-year sponsorship of  Old World Wisconsin, one of 12 museums and historic sites owned and operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society. At Old World Wisconsin, re-enactors conduct daily tasks and chores using the same tools and techniques from the 1800s. The Briess sponsorship makes possible ongoing demonstrations of beer brewing to the thousands of visitors to the museum every years.
  • In 2017, Briess confirmed its commitment to the community of Manitowoc with continued public usage of its riverfront property. This assures a home for the popular Manitowoc Farmer’s Markets and other public activities including an ice skating rink.
  • Since acquiring the 244-foot-high Manitowoc elevator, Briess has continued to support the Wisconsin Peregrine Falcon Recovery Project. More than 65 Peregrine Falcons have been produced at the site since 1992, when the nest was installed in the Manitowoc elevator.
  • Partnership with the Manitowoc public utility provides efficiently produced energy for our entire Manitowoc campus.
  • Partnership with a local dairy diverts high-strength liquid waste from the wastewater treatment plant to a bio-digester, where it helps generate a continuous 1.5 megawatts of electricity.
  • Many Briess growers in the Bighorn barley growing region operate multi-generational farms. Supporting the next generation of experienced barley grower is important to Briess. That’s why, every fall we actively participate in Park and surrounding counties’ Junior Livestock Auctions. Briess purchases provide funding for further education and training for these young farmers.
  • Many Briess employees are active in their communities, volunteering as firefighters, local elected officials, EMTs, youth sports coaches, and church and non-profit organization leaders.