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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Generac Power Systems Plans More Than $73 Million Expansion in Wisconsin Facilities

08/14/2017
Generac Power Systems, a leading manufacturer of power generation and engine-powered products, plans to invest more than $73 million in building renovations and equipment in a growth plan that will encompass its facilities in Waukesha, Oshkosh, Jefferson, Eagle, Whitewater and Berlin.

According to state officials, the plan that is projected to create at least 400 jobs during the next five years calls for the expansion of Generac’s corporate headquarters, research and development, and production operations in Wisconsin.

“As we’ve grown and added facilities throughout Wisconsin, it became clear that we needed to invest in a cutting-edge space at our corporate headquarters allowing us to dramatically advance our key product development and engineering activities,” said Aaron Jagdfeld, President & CEO of Generac. “We’ve been on our current campus since 1965, but a lot has changed since then. This project will help us realize efficiencies at our headquarters facility that will drive continued innovation.”

Jagdfeld added that particular emphasis would be placed on advanced research and development capabilities, including the addition of equipment and technologies to enable faster prototyping and testing of products in-house. “These investments will allow us to quicken the pace of our product development cycles, which is critical to remaining at the forefront of the industries we serve.”

As an incentive the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) announced that a WEDC award of up to $10 million in Enterprise Zone Tax Credits through 2021 will support the company’s growth.

The actual amount of state tax credits awarded to Generac by WEDC will be contingent upon the number of new jobs created, the level of capital investment the company makes and the amount spent on employee training. Generac plans to make significant investments to train its workers on the new equipment it will be installing.

“From its beginnings in a Waukesha County garage more than 50 years ago, Generac has become a leader in its industry and now employs 2,000 people throughout the state,” said Governor Scott Walker. “I applaud the company for making the commitment to continue to grow in Wisconsin. This is the latest example of companies in Wisconsin and around the world that are expanding or establishing operations in the state because of the pro-business climate our policies have created over the last six years.”

“In addition to the jobs created by this project, this expansion will enable Generac to usher in a new era of innovation and develop products to reach new markets and position the company for future growth,” said Mark R. Hogan, Secretary & CEO of WEDC, the state’s lead economic development organization. “That is good news for southeastern Wisconsin and the entire state.”

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