STEVENS POINT, Wis. (September 30, 2024) — Ellis Construction, a highly regarded, full-service construction company based in Stevens Point, recently broke ground on Weinbrenner Shoe Company’s brand-new, state-of-the-art facility in Marshfield, Wisconsin. The recently approved $14.5 million manufacturing facility will be located in Mill Creek Business Park. It is expected to open in late 2025, coinciding with the 90th anniversary of Weinbrenner Shoe Company producing American-made, quality Thorogood® work boots in Marshfield.
Ellis Construction designed the new 70,000-square-foot building with a focus on employee health and productivity. The production floor will be modernized to accommodate equipment with safety and technology upgrades. Weinbrenner Shoe Company made a point to solicit employee feedback with a vote on the new building’s exterior color. The new facility is expected to bring 35 new jobs to the organization, expanding Weinbrenner’s current workforce of 120.
Founded in 1892, Weinbrenner Shoe Company is one of the oldest shoe companies still manufacturing within the United States. Renowned for its high-quality, job-fitted footwear, it designs shoes for comfort and performance, tailored for what was once called “jobbing” trades geared toward blue-collar workers. The manufacturer is best recognized for Thorogood® work boots, known for being tough, durable and designed for those on their feet all day.
Ellis Construction, having served central Wisconsin for more than 90 years itself, is proud to work with Weinbrenner, using its expertise as a full-service construction company to design and build the new facility.
“We’re proud to be part of this new chapter for Weinbrenner Shoes,” said Andrew Halverson, executive vice president of Ellis Construction. “With a similar long-standing history in central Wisconsin, we know that this building will be a lasting landmark for generations to come.”
Reaffirming its longstanding commitment to supporting union labor, Weinbrenner Shoe Company worked alongside Ellis Construction to select contractors that ultimately resulted in union firms capturing nearly 80% of contracts when union labor was an available option.
“We manufacture Thorogood® boots for America’s working men and women and believe in supporting the union laborers that are the foundation of our company,” said Weinbrenner President Jeff Burns. “We invited both union and non-union trade partners to bid, and we are proud that union firms won the majority of the work.”
Photo Included.
Updated rendering of thenew facilityto be constructedon Commerce Drive, located in the Mill Creek Business Parkin Marshfield, Wisconsin. The update reflects a red exterior as voted on by Marshfield employees.(RenderingCourtesy: Ellis Construction).
A ground-breaking ceremony was held on Monday, Sept. 30, at the future site of the new Marshfield facility for Weinbrenner Shoe Company (WSC). Representatives breaking ground included from left to right: Caleb Peckham, WSC Merrill Union President; Cindy Marc, WSC Marshfield Union President; Sam Rikkers, Deputy Secretary, WEDC; State Senator Cory Tomczyk; Rob Burnett, Senior Vice President of Operations, WSC; Gary Stroyny, WSC Board Member; Jeff Burns, President of WSC; Lois TeStrake, Mayor of Marshfield; John Krueger, WSC Board Member; Andrew Halverson, Executive Vice President of Ellis Construction; and Steve Barg, City Administrator Marshfield. (Photo Courtesy: Ellis Construction).
