The fall weather was officially upon us as the Manufacturing Express arrived in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin for today’s event at Wacker Neuson America Corporation. But the cold winds could not damper the spirit of the men and women of this company from enjoying the day’s festivities. Employees enjoyed a delicious barbecue lunch and were all given scale models of the company’s signature ST45 Compact Track Loader, which are manufactured right here in Wisconsin.
Beyond loaders, the company’s product line services many business types across the construction and utility industries. Beyond the aforementioned Compact Track Loader, Wacker Neuson also manufactures equipment like Trench Rollers & Asphalt Rollers. Top of the line compaction equipment like this is how Wacker Neuson made a name for itself in the industrial manufacturing space. Founded in Germany in 1848 as a blacksmith shop, the company’s breakthrough came in 1930 when Hermann Wacker invented the electric rammer. This machine laid the foundation for modern soil and asphalt compaction, and put the company on the map.
As the company’s compaction products grew in popularity, Wacker decided to begin a manufacturing presence in the United States. In 1957, the company opened its first office in Hartford, Wisconsin, and years later would open its Americas headquarters in Menomonee Falls in 1986. As the company continued to grow during its nearly 70 years here in Wisconsin, so did its impact on the surrounding community.
Wacker Neuson has expanded its product line beyond compaction. They also have a serious presence in the utility industry, manufacturing generators and industrial lighting equipment. This equipment not only allows workers to do their jobs easier and safer, it also benefits those right here in Menomonee Falls. Wacker Neuson helps light up the local Menomonee Falls Baseball Park in town for community games. The company also gives to a number of local nonprofits, including one that provides resources for homeless veterans.
Wacker Neuson has become a fixture in the local community here in Wisconsin. With over 300 employees in the area, the company is providing jobs that are supporting hundreds of families here in Menomonee Falls. Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez understands the positive impact of a company like Wacker on the state of Wisconsin, and why so many manufacturers choose to open shop in the Badger State.
“Wisconsin has always had a long history of manufacturing…” Rodriguez says, “We like to build things here, and we build them well. And we want to make sure we have even more manufacturing jobs coming into the state of Wisconsin.”
