A Gillett manufacturing building, closed in 2012, will reopen as a center for engineering excellence, according to Paul Ehrfurth, director of the Oconto County Economic Development Corporation.
Ehrfurth said the project is a sign that the economic recession is reversing course.
Wausaukee Composites in Gillett, makers of Fiberglas components, closed its East Main Street facility in September, displacing 45 workers. Ehrfurth told the County Board on Thursday the building will be completely renovated to create an engineering center and accommodate one of the largest computer numerical control machines in the area.
“By the second or third quarter, they will have anywhere from 50 to 60 high-paying, designer engineer positions working out of that facility,” he said.
In addition, a logistics center will be created in the building to handle the global distribution of parts from various companies, including Caterpillar and Cummins. Training dollars secured from Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation will help develop the center, Ehrfurth said.
Wausaukee Composites is a subsidiary of Sintex Industries, a multi-national manufacturer and distributor of structural plastics and textiles.
Ehrfurth said he is seeing the best signs of economic progress in Oconto County since being named OCEDC director in May 2012.
“I’m happy to tell you I’m probably working with more potential prospects and leads now than any time during my tenure,” he said.
One firm is looking to bring its manufacturing and corporate office operations to the county. Another firm expects to move 100 jobs from Iowa to Oconto County in January 2015, and a smaller company plans to move from Angelica to Lakewood, he said.
Categories
