Leaders of the five fastest growing, privately-owned businesses in southeastern Wisconsin, the ‘Fastest Five,’ shared what’s driving their growth and why they choose to do it in Wisconsin at BizTimes Media’s Future 50 Awards program on Friday.

BizTimes Media and presenting sponsor Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) hosted the annual Future 50 Awards event, which featured the region’s fastest-growing private businesses and a panel discussion with leaders of the five fastest-growing companies.

Craft Beverage Warehouse: Adapting and innovating in the beverage industry

Kyle Stephens, co-founder of Craft Beverage Warehouse, shared how his company — which specializes in direct-to-can digital printing and wholesale distribution for craft beverage producers — has pivoted alongside a changing market.

Initially focused on microbreweries, Craft Beverage Warehouse has seen new opportunities emerge in canned cocktails, THC-infused drinks and specialty sodas.

“People aren’t going to stop consuming liquids,” Stephens said. “They’re just going to change it, and we have to change with that.”

Located in Milwaukee’s central city, Craft Beverage Warehouse doesn’t rely on experienced hires, mainly because the type of machinery they use is unique.

“We’re bringing on green people and training them,” Stephens said. “So we’re looking for curious, smart, hard-working people. We’re in Milwaukee for a reason.”

Koru Health: Reimagining senior care

For Koru Health, demographic trends provide a strong foundation, but company leaders say their approach to care fuels their growth. The company operates senior housing facilities that cater to both independent and assisted living residents.

Meghan Davis, director of lifestyle, emphasized the importance of talent development, pointing to partnerships with local high schools and colleges as key to building a future workforce.

“It’s a great way to get kids just exposed to senior care,” she said. “I think they see health care, and they don’t always know that senior living is an option.”

PACE Equity: Finding growth in new places

PACE Equity founder Beau Engman spoke about how his company has navigated the shifting political landscape surrounding clean energy and a challenging real estate development environment. The firm specializes in Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing to support commercial real estate projects.

Operating at the state level has insulated PACE Equity from changes at the federal level, and the company has found growth in helping developers recapitalize projects amid a slowdown in new construction.

“You just gotta find an adjacent pond,” Engman said.

G10 Fulfillment: Leaning into logistics demand

As more companies turn to outsourcing for logistics, G10 Fulfillment is scaling fast. The company provides warehousing, fulfillment and system integration services

“They’ll need warehousing, and they’ll need employees here to pack and ship products, and it’s really just at the beginning of it,” said CEO Mark Becker. “…For logistics, (southeast Wisconsin) is just a great location.”

Becker also highlighted the role of technology in helping G10 remain competitive, using workforce apps to manage seasonal and temporary labor demands.

Ixonia Bank: Creating the ‘best place’ someone can work

Greg Larson, CEO of Ixonia Bank, a commercial bank serving owner-managed businesses, said one of the keys to the company’s growth has been hiring the right people.

Ixonia has found value in hiring at “both ends of the bell curve.” They typically hire at least two interns a year and also hire a notable number of employees above 60.

“We look for the passion, and when you put those people together, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.”

Larson added that the region’s relative economic stability makes it a smart place to grow long-term.

“I enjoy having those relationships for decades, and having that stability of the customer,” Larson said.