SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – TimberPro is planning to expand its facility, doubling its production capacity while adding training and research facilities.
The company, which makes a variety of logging heavy equipment & attachments, will add nearly 50,000 square-feet to the plant on Industrial Drive.
“The purpose behind the expansion is to increase production capacity, not only for the products that we currently build, but we’re also adding new products through product development. This will give us the space to produce new machines to support the industry ,” said Douglas Morris, vice president of the Forest Machine Business Division of Komatsu, which owns TimberPro.
The company is also adding space for research and development to allow creation of prototypes more quickly.
TimberPro currently employs 55 people and has openings for 10 people. As with many industries, hiring can be a challenge. That’s why the new space will include more room for worker training.
“Part of our strategy with the expansion, like I said, the training piece is very important. We look at employees that come in. How do we better train them coming into the job to be more effective earlier on, as they come to work for TimberPro, instead of what may take a longer for on-the-job training,” he said.
There is no defined number for how many jobs could be added with this project. But with multiple suppliers in the Shawano area and across the state, any expansion of the Shawano plant will have a ripple effect, as well, Morris said.
The city of Shawano will provide up to $350,000 in tax rebates to assist with the $8 million construction project. Click here for the complete agreement with the city.
Groundbreaking will happen within the next month, with the addition expected to be completed by June.
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