Manufacturer to bring Texas operations to Wisconsin and create 100 additional jobs over the next five years

Grover Corp., a leading manufacturer of piston rings and sealing rings, is expanding its operations in Milwaukee County by consolidating its facilities in Wisconsin and Texas, a project expected to create about 100 new jobs over the next five years.

The company, which was founded in 1929, will renovate an 85,000-square-foot facility in Glendale to accommodate current and future growth. The new facility will house Grover’s existing Milwaukee operations as well as its operations in Richland Hills, Texas.

The company expects the new facility to be fully operational by early 2018.

“We decided to consolidate operations to streamline the organization and transform our company into a high-performing organization where great people love to come to work,” said Stuart Banghart, president of Grover. “We are investing in advanced manufacturing so that we can continue serving our customers worldwide with the highest service levels and globally competitive products.”

“Congratulations to the Grover Corp. on its expansion plans. I applaud the company for its continued commitment to growing and creating jobs in Wisconsin,” said Governor Scott Walker. “Grover is one of the many companies establishing or expanding operations in our great state due to our pro-business climate, dedicated workforce and reliable infrastructure.”

Grover, with 70 full-time employees in Milwaukee and 14 in Texas, is projecting a significant sales increase over the next three years, and the new facility will enable the company to accommodate that growth, much of which is expected as a result of increased international sales. Consolidating operations also will increase efficiency and will enable Grover to implement advanced manufacturing processes to improve its operations.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is supporting the expansion by awarding Grover with up to $750,000 in state income tax credits over the next five years. The actual amount of tax credits the company will receive will be based upon the number of jobs created, the amount of capital investment it makes, and the amount to be spent on employee training through 2022.

“I thank Grover Corp. for its continued commitment to Milwaukee County and the state of Wisconsin,” said Mark R. Hogan, secretary and CEO of WEDC, the state’s lead economic development organization. “The company had location options in other states and we are pleased Grover will continue to grow in the Milwaukee region, which has been its home for nearly 90 years.”

“I am excited that we found a facility in Milwaukee County that fits our strategic vision,” Banghart said. “We are committed to building our future in Milwaukee. I want to thank WEDC for its commitment to manufacturing in southeastern Wisconsin and Milwaukee County.”

Grover manufactures piston rings and seals for numerous industrial applications, including air and gas compressors, packaging solutions, industrial hydraulics, large bore engines, mobile hydraulics, oil and gas compressors, power shift transmission and shock absorbers. With stringent quality systems, Grover has a time-tested reputation in the marketplace as a precision manufacturer and key supplier to some of the largest names in the industry.

In addition to the 109 jobs expected to be created by Grover, an economic modeling study estimates the project could indirectly generate 152 additional jobs in the region. Those 361 new jobs could generate up to $900,000 annually in state income tax revenue.

The announcement comes as more than a dozen state agencies and organizations are marking Wisconsin Manufacturing Month with events throughout October. Wisconsin manufacturers produced more than $57 billion worth of output in 2015, accounting for 19 percent of the state’s gross domestic product. The state’s 9,500 manufacturers employ more than 465,000 workers.

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About the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing and maximizing opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses, communities and people to thrive in a globally competitive environment. Working with more than 600 regional and local partners, WEDC develops and delivers solutions representative of a highly responsive and coordinated economic development network. Visit www.inwisconsin.com or follow WEDC on Twitter @InWisconsin to learn more.

About Grover Corp.

Since 1929, Grover has proven to be a global leader among sealing ring and piston ring manufacturers. The company manufacturers piston rings and seals for numerous industrial applications, including air and gas compressors, packaging solutions, industrial hydraulics, large bore engines, mobile hydraulics, oil and gas compressors, power shift transmission and shock absorbers. With stringent quality systems, Grover has a time-tested reputation in the marketplace as a precision manufacturer and key supplier to some of the largest names in the industry. For more information, visit www.grovercorp.com