A global manufacturer of commercial laundry equipment announced this week the purchase of a vacant plant and detailed plans to expand in its native Wisconsin.
Alliance Laundry Systems, based in Ripon, Wisconsin, with facilities in 10 other countries, closed on the facility that formerly housed Manitowoc Crane Co. for an undisclosed amount.
The company plans to shift some functions from Ripon to the new location — and create about 250 jobs in Manitowoc — but eventually expects the decision to add jobs at its headquarters as well. Alliance officials noted that the Ripon plant reached capacity and has difficulty filling vacant positions in a tight labor market.
“This plan is a critical component that enables us to unlock the potential of the Ripon plant — growing jobs and production toward our vision of creating a world-class manufacturing facility that fully leverages technology by 2025,” Brad Nye, the company’s marketing vice president, said in a statement.
Work is expected to begin next month at the Manitowoc plant. Staffing is not expected to be reduced at the Ripon location.
