Area Development
AKG North American Operations plans to expand its Mitchell, South Dakota production facility, adding approximately 60,000 square feet of manufacturing space, and hiring an estimated 215 new employees.

AKG is a German-based company that produces custom-designed, brazed aluminum air-cooled heat exchangers for radiators, oil coolers, air coolers and fuel coolers. The Mitchell plant, at 925 W Quince St, produces coolers and heat exchangers for both construction and agricultural equipment.

"We are in need of aluminum welders, and we are hoping to both hire area welders and recruit welders from other states that would relocate their families to Mitchell by offering them a long lasting job opportunity at competitive wages," said Wolfgang E. Dallmann, vice president, AKG North American Operations, Inc. "This will mean that that more families will have good jobs with benefits right here in Mitchell." The firm did not want to disclose the cost of its investment.

"AKG has been a strong corporate citizen in Mitchell since 2004," said Pat Costello, commissioner, Governor's Office of Economic Development. "The company's decision to continue growing its business in Mitchell is great news for Mitchell and the State of South Dakota."

The Governor's Office of Economic Development and the Mitchell Area Development Corporation worked with AKG to make the expansion possible. As an incentive AKG recently received $50,000 for workforce training from the Mitchell Area Development Corporation.

"This is an exciting day for Mitchell," said Bryan Hisel, executive director of MADC. "It's great to have an international presence like AKG is in our community because it really adds value to our city."