RAMAC Voice: Revolutionizing Manufacturing with the Power of AI

BY MAUREEN BAGG, WRITTEN FOR RAMAC VOICE EDITOR

Wiscon Products, Inc. is a third generation family-owned manufacturer, providing advanced CNC lathe precision turned parts from bar stock for the hydraulic, aerospace, and construction industries.

MICROSOFT’S AI SUPPORT

Wiscon Products is at the cutting edge of Microsoft’s efforts to position Wisconsin as a leader in applied AI innovation. So, when the Vice Chair and President of Microsoft Brad Smith toured Wiscon Products last September, he also created a video showcasing the company and their pioneering AI initiatives, which are revolutionizing how small to midsize manufacturers work. (View video at this link – https://tinyurl.com/y6szwfce)

In the months prior to Smith’s tour, Wiscon Products and its President Torben Christensen became part of a three month project available through Microsoft’s AI Co-Innovation Lab. Housed within the UW Milwaukee Connected Systems Institute, this is the first of Microsoft’s seven AI labs to focus on manufacturing.

The project partnered Wiscon Product team members with UW-Milwaukee staff and students, Microsoft engineers, and Titletown 

Tech staff. Together they innovated ways to troubleshoot and create simple tools that would streamline the administrative engineering necessary in the launch of new products at Wiscon. More specifically, they sought to improve tool selection and setup process, and devise solution tools that would help machinists do what they do best—build!

AI’S IMPACT

Christensen is seeing positive results already. “AI is connecting dots we didn’t even know existed. We are able to access data in ways that we never imagined, especially internal data.” As Christensen explains, “Here’s a part that has 40 different tools. In the past, gathering both internal and external data could take 

a lot of time. We need to know which screw to use, the starting speeds, and feed rates for each tool for that material. Discovering an easier way to access data has made a big difference.”

The Microsoft video featuring Wiscon Products not only piqued an interest in AI in other manufacturers but gave the company some great PR. “The promo video went nuclear!” says Christensen. “Brad Smith shared the video on his LinkedIn page and at a seminar I attended. We had calls once a week. People wanted to know how we used AI and how Wiscon Products might help them in the future.”

AI AND TRAINING

Wiscon Products uses AI to mine data used primarily in administrative tasks. An engineer straight out of college needs to know how two or four parts associated with a tool will run in a specific material; how fast to run; how hard to push the part. “New engineers,” according to Christensen, “need to assimilate what amounts to six to seven years of experience in six to seven months. AI and our affiliation with the AI Co-Innovation Lab makes that possible.” In the past, data was gathered using external “scrubbing” of sites for documents and information, a time consuming effort. Christensen felt Wiscon had better data internally, so he chose not to focus on scrubbing other websites and increasing the inventory of perishable items.

An exciting part of AI training for Wiscon staff has been learning to write an effective prompt that generates the needed data. Christensen is proud of his company’s part in pioneering AI initiatives. These initiatives help Wiscon move beyond traditional CNC programming to implement AI solutions that allow them to optimize complex tool paths, predict 

machine maintenance, and implement real-time quality assurance for efficiency and defect prevention.

DRIVING GROWTH THROUGH SMART CHANGE

When the world shifted post-COVID, Wiscon Products didn’t just adapt—they transformed. Recognizing the volatility of the automotive sector, they pivoted to focus on power and hand tools, where innovation and reliability matter most.

The results? In less than a year, Wiscon went from massive single runs of one million parts to agile, high-mix runs of 1,000-50,000 parts. The pace accelerated dramatically, launching one to three new products every week instead of one or two every quarter. That surge in demand pushed the engineering team to think bigger and smarter. Their solution: harness the power of AI to mine internal data, unlocking efficiencies and insights that keep Wiscon ahead of the curve.

2025 was a record-breaking year. Wiscon welcomed 7 new national customers and launched 23 new parts—the most ever in a single year. Today, all 26 of their regular customers are U.S.-based. This marks a major shift from the 42% international sales of the past. Tariffs remain a challenge, but as CEO Torben Christensen puts it, “Unless tariffs hit 120–200%, we can’t compete globally. But domestic partnerships? They’re stronger and payment terms are far more predictable.”

And the momentum continues. After a powerhouse fourth quarter filled with new quotes, customers, and orders, 2026 is already shaping up to be a banner year. A growing backlog even led to two new hires—proof that Wiscon Products is not just adapting but thriving. Innovation. Agility. Growth. That’s the Wiscon way.

A FOURTH GENERATION?

Christensen feels incredibly fortunate to be the third generation to lead Wiscon Products, which was founded by his grandfather Henry in 1945, then continued by his father Rolfe, now retired. Now two of his three sons work at the company while continuing to explore their options and decide if being the fourth generation of Christensen’s at Wiscon Products is a good fit. One thing is certain. Manufacturing will continue to evolve and Wiscon Products will pioneer its evolution.

Active in RAMAC, Christensen and his sister Dana serve on the RAMAC Board and the President’s Council and frequently attend RAMAC’s events. Wiscon Products supplies parts to a number of RAMAC members in manufacturing.

WISCON PRODUCTS HISTORY

1945 Henry Christensen joined a high school friend and several other machinists to found Wiscon Products, a 1-room, 80 sq ft machine shop, serving local manufacturers.

1957 Expanded into a new 10,000 sq ft facility; added its own line of school furniture.

1958 Rapid growth required an additional 15,000 sq ft of space. Henry’s teenage son Rolfe worked in the shop, getting his first check when he was 13 years old.

1975 Rolfe bought out his father and partners, heading a company that had moved from manual machines to NC to CNC.

1999 Torben joined the business after heeding his father’s advice to work in other CNC companies before returning to the family business.

2010 Torben bought out his father and assumed the role of President/CEO.

2020 Wiscon Products celebrated its 75th Anniversary in September with a company picnic.

2020 - 2021 Over $2.5M invested in production/quality/infrastructure, including:

  • 2 INDEX C200’s with 65mm spindle and bar loaders added totaling 12 C series machines

  • 1 SMART 400MM HMC added to two existing

  • 1 VICI Vision laser scanning machine installed

  • 3rd Zeiss CMM installed

  • 8 MICRONITE paperless inspection stations installed and networked with all CMM’s and gages

Key promotions included:

  • Richard Bachman to Director of Quality and Information Technology

  • Charles Caley to Quality Manager

  • Dana Christensen to Chief Operating Officer

2025

  • Hosted Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, in September

  • Integrated AI Solutions to improve production efficiency/quality

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