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Alliance Laundry Systems Moves Forward with $46 Million Expansion

Project calls for adding 106,000 square feet of space for equipment manufacturing, assembly

RIPON, Wis. — Commercial laundry equipment manufacturer Alliance Laundry Systems is moving forward with a $46 million expansion project, less than two months after completing a production capacity increase, the company reports.

The largest expansion in the company’s history, the project plans call for adding 106,000 square feet of space for manufacturing and assembly, says Alliance.

The company anticipates breaking ground for the expansion in February 2014, and expects the added production capacity to be online in the second half of 2015.

Currently, its corporate campus in Ripon occupies five buildings on more than 58 acres, including two manufacturing plants, an engineering center and test lab, and distribution facilities, for a total of more than 1 million square feet.

Alliance plans to immediately hire an additional 150 manufacturing and office staff to support the added capacity, the company says, while the majority of production employees will be hired in 2015.

The project received final internal approval after Alliance had secured agreements with its union, the United Steelworkers Local 1327, the City of Ripon and Fond du Lac County.

“Alliance makes the most reliable and durable laundry equipment available, and demand for our products keeps growing, both in the U.S. and overseas,” says Mike Schoeb, Alliance Laundry president and CEO. “Our core philosophy is to delight our customers with each and every interaction, provide the best products in the industry and excel in our service levels. The dedication of our people is what puts this philosophy into action. The proof the formula works shows in our steadily growing revenues.”

“Our continued strong partnership with the City of Ripon, Fond du Lac County and our union allows projects such as this to gain traction and move forward quickly,” adds Schoeb.

Local officials, including Fond du Lac County Executive Allen Buechel, county Economic Development Corp. President Steve Jenkins, City of Ripon Mayor Gary Will and city Administrator Lori Rich, worked closely with Alliance to move the expansion forward, says Schoeb.

“Alliance Laundry’s expansion is great news for Fond du Lac County and its residents, and we’re proud to be a partner in making it possible,” says Buechel. “The 150 new jobs and $46 million investment continue to prove that our county is a great place for business and manufacturing.”

Jenkins says the project will have a positive ripple effect in the county, including the creation of 71 new jobs in addition to the 150 being added at the plant. “The expansion exemplifies how product innovation and reliability creates new jobs, as well as how effective public/private partnerships benefit our community,” he says.

Rich praises Alliance for continuing to build on its success.

Will agrees, saying, “Alliance Laundry offers our community an unparalleled opportunity for job growth, and by providing financial assistance to a local business, we will help ensure that Alliance Laundry continues to expand its business right here in the city.”

Alliance Laundry Systems designs, manufactures and markets commercial laundry equipment used in on-premises laundries, multi-housing laundries and Laundromats under the Speed Queen, UniMac, Huebsch, IPSO and Cissell brands.

Alliance Laundry Systems logo

Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].