RIPON, Wis. — The Board of Directors for global commercial laundry equipment provider Alliance Laundry Systems has formally approved a proposed $62.6 million expansion to its campus here.
Investment incentives from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), Fond du Lac County through the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC), and the City of Ripon have been finalized, clearing the way for the expansion to move forward.
The project will add 225,000 square feet of new buildings, including the construction of a new North America Sales and Marketing Headquarters and the conversion of an existing warehouse into a manufacturing facility.
It is estimated that the project will add 200 new permanent jobs to the local workforce.
“Alliance Laundry Systems has been headquartered here in Ripon for more than a hundred years,” says Mike Schoeb, Alliance president and CEO. “During that time, we have developed a tremendous partnership with both Fond du Lac County and the State of Wisconsin. Those partnerships have allowed us to continue to invest in growing our business and keeping our workforce in Wisconsin. This expansion is another demonstration of our mutual commitment to our employees and the local community.”
Alliance Laundry Systems designs, manufactures and markets commercial laundry equipment under the brand names UniMac®, IPSO®, Primus®, Speed Queen® and Huebsch®, among others.
This expansion will be the single largest capacity-related investment in the company’s history and will ensure its continued ability to meet demand for its laundry equipment. This is a much broader undertaking than previous expansions and will increase capacity across all brands and models, Alliance says.
The new North America Sales and Marketing Headquarters will feature state-of-the art conference facilities and a digital showroom, and will provide a premium destination for current and potential Alliance customers.
“We are thrilled to provide support for this expansion project to help Alliance Laundry Systems increase their Wisconsin footprint,” says Mark Hogan, secretary and CEO of WEDC. “Their continued success and ongoing commitment to grow its operations and create jobs here are proof positive of Wisconsin’s strong business climate and responsive economic development network.”
“Alliance has been a key component of the County’s robust and growing economy,” says Allen Buechel, Fond du Lac County executive. “The company’s latest expansion will significantly advance both the local and regional economies.”
“This third expansion will have a tremendous economic impact and indicates that Fond du Lac is a great place to do business,” says Steve Jenkins, president of the FCEDC. “Alliance Laundry Systems is a great company productively employing residents of the County and region but also contributing in many other ways to the well-being of the community.”
The new jobs generated by this expansion will include all aspects of manufacturing, including assembly, fabrication, welding, engineering, supervision and maintenance, as well as increases in salaried positions.
Alliance says groundbreaking is expected to take place this summer.
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