Top Workplaces 2023: These are the only nine companies to be featured every year on the Top Workplaces of southeastern Wisconsin

For 14 years, the Journal Sentinel has recognized the Top Workplaces for Southeastern Wisconsin. In that time, nine companies have been present on every list. Here's a look at those honorees.

Inpro: Commercial window treatments and other products

Muskego-based architectural products provider Inpro placed eighth in the large businesses division in 2023. Inpro offers commercial window treatments, door/wall protection and privacy systems. 

Inpro said it strives to create a positive workspace that will facilitate visionary thinking and strengthen its position in the industry. One of the ways it does this is by establishing an internal counsel for improvement that seeks to improve the employee experience. In 2021, Inpro was recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as a 2021 Recycling Excellence Award winner.

CG Schmidt: Family owned construction management firm

CG Schmidt is a fifth-generation family-owned construction management firm founded in Milwaukee. The company finished 13th in the midsize-businesses division in 2023 — five steps higher than in 2022.

The firm has worked on notable Milwaukee buildings such as the Northwestern Mutual Tower & Commons and a new professional office building for the Medical College of Wisconsin. As a construction firm, CG Schmidt says it is committed to the safety of its employees and has implemented a safe start program designed to train employees and promote efficiency and reduce injuries.

Kapur & Associates, Inc.: Full-service engineering consulting

For 42 years ago Kapur & Associates, Inc. started providing full-service engineering consulting; now the Milwaukee-based company has built a network of more than 320 professionals based in nine offices across Wisconsin, Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana.

In 2023, Kapur & Associates, Inc. placed fifth in the midsize-businesses division, maintaining its ranking from last year. The firm prides itself on a highly diverse workspace that promotes innovation.

Bank Five Nine: Focuses on community needs

Bank Five Nine improved three spots from last year ranking sixth among midsize-businesses division in 2023. Serving Milwaukee since 1859, Bank Five Nine has 14 banking offices in several communities throughout southeastern Wisconsin.

Guided by the simple philosophy of “Make Lives Better” Bank Five Nine has a strong community presence that defines its professional ideology and allows it to be aware of community needs.

Children’s Wisconsin: Worked to keep staff safe during challenging times

Children’s Wisconsin ranks 15th in this year's large-businesses division. Through the up and downs of the COVID-19 pandemic Children’s Wisconsin said it consistently adapted to keep staff safe while still providing the best experience possible for patients.

For the third year running, Children's Wisconsin is ranked in six specialty areas in U.S. News & World Report's Best Children’s Hospitals report. Children's Wisconsin seeks to balance the child and family experience with the employee experience to create the best atmosphere for all involved.

Godfrey & Kahn S.C.: Focused on relationships and client success

Godfrey & Kahn S.C. is a Milwaukee-based law firm that has six locations across Wisconsin and Washington, D.C., as well as over 380 employees worldwide. The firm ranked 12th this year in the midsize-businesses division, this is one spot better than they finished last year. 

Godfrey & Kahn S.C. said it is guided by core values that include a focus on client success, a relationship of trust internally and with the client, a culture of teamwork that promotes efficacy and development, an emphasis on work ethic and integrity to stay focused on what is best for their employees, clients and community.

Douglas Dynamics, Inc. : Work truck attachment, equipment

Publicly traded company Douglas Dynamics, Inc. manufactures and upfits work truck attachments and equipment while employing 305 workers across southeastern Wisconsin. The company placed 27th in the 2023 midsize-businesses division. 

Douglas Dynamic, Inc. said it has sustained success by investing in the development of its team and culture in ways that breed innovation, efficiency and safety. It even created a Douglas Dynamics University service that helps to train employees. 

QPS Employment Group: A growing staffing and recruitment firm

Staffing and recruitment company QPS Employment Group was founded in 1985 and has since grown from a two-person operation to a company that now staffs 350 employees in nearly 50 office locations throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri.

QPS Employment Group improved its ranking by 10 spots this year in Top Workplaces as it placed 11th in the midsize-businesses division.

von Briesen & Roper S.C.: Community-focused law firm

von Briesen & Roper S.C. is a law firm servicing clients in three offices across southeastern Wisconsin. The firm ranked 37th in the 2023 midsize-businesses division. 

von Briesen & Roper places an emphasis on being community-driven with the firm hosting blood drives, annual fundraising campaigns for United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, and the United Performing Arts Fund.