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Wausau Supply Co. announced plans for a 260,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in West Branch, Michigan. The project represents at least $41 million in capital investment and is expected to create 92 jobs; a $575,000 performance-based state grant will support it.
Wausau Supply Co. announced plans for a 260,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in West Branch, Michigan, representing a capital investment of at least $41 million. The expansion is expected to create 92 jobs and increase production capacity for customers including dealers, builders and contractors.
The facility will expand Wausau Supply’s existing operations in West Branch and serve as a hub for advanced manufacturing, according to the company’s announcement reported by Hardware Retailing on October 8. The company currently employs 108 people in West Branch. The projected 92 new positions would add to that local workforce, although the source report does not specify when hiring would begin or how quickly the jobs would be filled.
The project carries a stated investment of at least $41 million and has support from a $575,000 performance-based grant through the Michigan Business Development Program. The report does not detail the grant’s payment conditions or provide a breakdown of project costs. Wausau Supply said the additional production capacity is intended to meet growing demand across its national customer base.
Company President and CEO Brian Miller said Wausau Supply considered several possible locations, including sites in Canada and at its Wisconsin headquarters, before choosing West Branch. The company cited Michigan’s skilled workforce and regional partnerships for talent and recruitment as factors in the decision. Those reasons are the company’s account of its site selection.
West Branch Gains Jobs and Capacity
The announcement would expand manufacturing in a community where Wausau Supply already has a workforce of 108 employees. If the forecast is realized, 92 additional jobs would make the project a substantial addition to the company’s local operations. The source does not provide job descriptions, wage ranges or a hiring schedule, so the expected employment impact cannot yet be assessed in more detail.
For Wausau Supply, the new facility is intended to increase its ability to serve dealers, builders and contractors across the country. The company says demand from those customers is driving the expansion, though it has not published demand figures or a production-capacity target. The investment also adds to the company’s manufacturing network, which the report says includes six facilities alongside more than 20 distribution centers.
The state grant means Michigan public support is part of the project’s financing picture. Because the grant is described as performance-based, its disbursement is tied to conditions; the source report does not identify those conditions. The project’s eventual effect on employment, output and public spending will depend on construction, hiring and the grant terms.
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Why Wausau Chose West Branch
Wausau Supply described the Michigan project as a continuation of a period of sustained growth. At the time of the announcement, the company reported operating more than 20 distribution centers and six manufacturing facilities. The West Branch development would build on its existing Michigan presence rather than establish operations in a new region.
The company said it reviewed multiple possible locations, including Canada and its Wisconsin headquarters, before selecting West Branch. Its stated considerations included the area’s skilled workforce and established regional relationships that could help with recruiting. These are the company’s explanations; the report provides no comparative details about the sites considered or the criteria used to evaluate them.
The investment announcement was reported by Hardware Retailing on October 8, 2026. The source material identifies the facility’s planned size, minimum investment and expected job creation, but does not provide a construction timeline or a target date for production to begin.
“As an employee-owned company, growth like this means something different for us. Every new job in West Branch is also a new ownership stake in our future.”
— Brian Miller, president and CEO of Wausau Supply Co.
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Timeline and Hiring Details Pending
The announcement does not give a construction start date, completion schedule or date when the facility is expected to begin production. It also does not state when recruitment for the 92 expected jobs will start, what roles will be available, or whether all positions will be based at the new facility.
Details about the project’s production lines, anticipated output and customer or product mix were not included in the source report. The report also does not explain the performance conditions attached to the $575,000 state grant or when that support would be paid. The stated investment is at least $41 million, so the final project cost could be higher.
The company characterized customer demand as growing, but supplied no figures or time period to quantify that trend. The announcement confirms the company’s plans and projections; it does not establish when the projected jobs or added capacity will be delivered.
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Construction and Recruitment Milestones
The next milestones to watch are a confirmed construction schedule, details on when hiring will begin and the facility’s expected opening or production date. Wausau Supply or state officials may also provide more information about the grant’s performance requirements and how the project will meet them.
Until those details are released, the 92 jobs and expanded capacity remain projections tied to the announced project. Further updates should clarify the build-out timeline, staffing plan and when the West Branch facility will begin serving customers.
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Key Questions
What did Wausau Supply announce?
The company announced plans for a 260,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in West Branch, Michigan, to expand its existing operations and production capacity.
How much will the project cost, and how many jobs are expected?
The project represents a capital investment of at least $41 million and is expected to create 92 jobs. The source report does not provide a construction budget breakdown or hiring schedule.
Is the project receiving public funding?
Yes. The announcement includes a $575,000 performance-based grant through the Michigan Business Development Program. The grant conditions were not specified in the source report.
When will the facility open?
No opening date, construction timeline or production start date was provided in the announcement reported by Hardware Retailing.
Why did Wausau Supply choose West Branch?
CEO Brian Miller cited Michigan’s skilled workforce and the company’s regional partnerships for talent and recruitment. Wausau Supply also said it considered sites in Canada and at its Wisconsin headquarters.
Source: rss
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