KIEL - Amerequip in Kiel hopes to increase its workforce to 400 by 2020. The Wisconsin-based designer and manufacturer of custom equipment for the commercial landscape, agricultural and industrial markets has invested more than $25 million to grow its business.
Investments have come in a variety of areas including automation and technology — specifically a robotics systems for a state-of-the-art welding department — and an expanded fabrication operation.
Those investments are now paying off by allowing the company to expand its workforce.
“When we began this initiative, we had a growth plan in place with targets for the year 2020,” Mike VanderZanden, president and CEO of Amerequip, said in a release. “We’ve already exceeded several of those targets and will meet or exceed the others by 2019.”
VanderZanden was also quick to point out that the investments were about more than just increasing revenue.
“We take great pride in providing good paying, local jobs and development opportunities for our team members,” he added.
The city of Kiel and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation have both aided the company in its growth.
The city provided infrastructure assistance that helped facilitate the company's physical expansion. A workforce development grant from WEDC also helped the company establish strong relationships with local high schools and colleges to increase its pool of potential employees.
Workforce training and development efforts have helped the company grow from 125 employees six years ago to an anticipated 360 by December 31, the company said in a release. It hopes to have 400 team members by 2020.
Amerequip has seen growth in other areas over the past six years as well. A three-phase facility expansion added more than 188,000 square feet of floor space at Amerequip’s main facility, including a new training center and manufacturing space.
Amerequip provides design and engineering services, along with production and manufacturing, of custom equipment for domestic and international customers in a wide variety of industries. The firm operates four Wisconsin facilities, including one in Kiel. To learn more about the company and its growth, go to www.amerequip.com.