



BROOKFIELD -- Ground was broken Monday, April 11th on a $35 million expansion to Milwaukee Tool's headquarters, located at 13135 W. Lisbon Road, near 124th and Capitol Drive in Brookfield. The headquarters building will be home to 300 to 500 new employees over the next three to five years.



The tossing of dirt on Monday morning marked the beginning of a new chapter for Milwaukee Tool.





Groundbreaking on $35M expansion at Milwaukee Tool





"We`re excited about continuing to grow," Steven Richman, president of Milwaukee Tool said.



The iconic company known for durability, quality and performance has grown exponentially.



Work has begun on a 200,000 square foot, four-story expansion of its current headquarters.





Milwaukee Tool expansion





"The Milwaukee Tool project is among our region`s most significant economic development wins," Gale Klappa, chair and CEO of WEC Energy Group and M7 co-chair said.










Governor Scott Walker was on hand for the groundbreaking, and said he's thrilled the state will play a role in this $35 million project.



"We will provide up to $18 million in tax credits through the Enterprise Zone -- through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. Those are earned credits," Walker said.



Richman said the company's demand is considerable.





Groundbreaking on $35M expansion at Milwaukee Tool





"The way we win is by delivering disruptive, innovative, game-changing innovation to our core users and the only way we will continue to do that is by expansions like this," Richman said.



The expansion is not only a testament to the company's growth, but also an investment in the state of Wisconsin.



"We`re looking to recruit the best and brightest out of all the Wisconsin universities to be able to help support our growth," Richman said.



"The majority of the jobs that will be part of the expansion will be in engineering and marketing and the average annual pay for those about $75,000," Governor Walker said.





Milwaukee Tool





The project is expected to be complete by spring 2017.



Below is a statement from Governor Scott Walker on this groundbreaking:



Governor Scott Walker delivered remarks today and joined Milwaukee Tool in announcing nearly 600 jobs in the next five years at their headquarters in Brookfield for a groundbreaking ceremony. Milwaukee Tool has been approved for a 200,000 square-foot expansion, which is a collaborative effort between the company, the city of Brookfield, Milwaukee 7, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).



“Wisconsin is strong, and continues to move forward,” Governor Walker said. “More people are working, fewer are unemployed, and our businesses continue to grow throughout the state. We’re happy to be here in Brookfield today to celebrate the expansion of Milwaukee Tool and work with them to provide state income tax credits for employee retention, job creation, and capital investment.”



Milwaukee Tool has been a manufacturer of heavy-duty power tools, accessories, and hand tools for professionals worldwide since 1924. They focus on providing innovative, trade-specific solutions for plumbing, mechanical, electrical, HVAC, MRO, and remodeling trades to make them more productive.



“Milwaukee Tool is dedicated to driving growth and creating new jobs in Wisconsin, and throughout the United States,” said Milwaukee Tool Group President Steve Richman. “We firmly believe that, through investing in our people, we will deliver disruptive innovation and the highest quality products to our users and distribution partners.”



Over the last ten years, Milwaukee Tool has redeveloped 190,000 square-feet of former manufacturing space for their global research and development center. As a result, the company has grown from just over 207 jobs in 2008 to 800 jobs in 2016 at its Brookfield campus. Milwaukee Tool’s new 200,000 square-foot expansion includes a new four-story office building on campus, adjoined to the current facility, and the company estimates that nearly 600 jobs will be added within the next five years. Most of these new positions will be focused on research and development in engineering and marketing, with an average salary of $75,000. The proposed expansion will make Milwaukee Tool the largest employer in Brookfield.



“We’re delighted that Milwaukee Tool has chosen our region for this major expansion,” said Gale Klappa, co-chair of Milwaukee 7 and chairman and CEO of WEC Energy Group. “There is intense competition from across the country when these opportunities arise. Milwaukee Tool’s decision to expand here underscores the strength of our regional assets that make Milwaukee a premiere destination for manufacturing investment.”



Milwaukee Tool was certified under the WEDC Enterprise Zone Program to earn up to $18 million in state income tax credits based on retention and creation of full-time employment positions and significant capital investment for both their Brookfield and Mukwonago facilities. The Enterprise Zone designation and certification for earning tax credits will last for a period of six years, beginning January 1, 2016.



Milwaukee Tool expansion



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