A tool maker celebrates growth
Empire Level, a division of Milwaukee Tool, greeted local officials including Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker this week to celebrate the company’s growth. During his visit, Walker met with company officials and toured Empire’s Mukwonago, Wisconsin, manufacturing plant.
Buoyed by partnerships with Milwaukee Tool, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC), Milwaukee 7, and local governments, Empire now has more than 200 employees. Eighty of the hires came after a $16 million investment from Milwaukee Tool to support plant upgrades and product launches.
“Empire Level’s success is a testament to our commitment of driving growth and creating new jobs in Wisconsin,” said Steve Richman, president, Milwaukee Tool Group. “Our strategic partnership has delivered tremendous growth which is focused on developing innovative solutions for our users and The Home Depot customers. The investments we’ve made in people, training, plant upgrades, and quality processes at Empire will allow us to continue delivering on this partnership.”
In February 2016, WEDC awarded $18 million in enterprise zone tax credits to support expansion efforts by Milwaukee Tool. The credits are tied to job retention, job creation, and capital investment.
Gov. Walker said Empire Level and Milwaukee Tool are committed to growth and creating new manufacturing in the state.
“Both of these long-time Wisconsin companies are teaming up with local colleges and universities on worker training initiatives to close the skills gap and recruit engineering talent,” Walker said. “The commitment shown by companies like Milwaukee Tool and Empire is a major reason why Wisconsin will continue to lead the way in manufacturing and worker training.”
