W.M. Sprinkman Corp. recently purchased the former Oberlin Filter facility in Waukesha and plans to expand its operations there to accommodate increased demand.
The facility at 404 Pilot Court in Waukesha sold July 1 to Grace Elizabeth LLC for $2.6 million, according to state records. Brian Sprinkman, W.M. Sprinkman’s president, was listed as the buyer’s agent. The former Oberlin Filter facility had an assessed value of $2.5 million in 2015.
W.M. Sprinkman was founded in 1929 and manufacturers stainless steel tanks and production systems for the craft brewing, dairy and personal care industry. The company has enlisted Milwaukee commercial real estate firm The Barry Company to sell its current headquarters facility at 4234 Courtney St. in Franksville. The 33,150-square-foot facility has an asking price of $1.55 million.
The company plans to move its headquarters by the fall following renovations at the Waukesha facility.
The relocation is being driven by increased sales to the dairy and craft brewing industries. Brian Sprinkman, the company’s president, said the company has outgrown its current facility. The former Oberlin Filter facility offers more flexibility, higher ceilings and 50 percent more manufacturing space, allowing the company to complete larger orders.
The company currently has 12 openings it is looking to fill as soon as possible and plans to add additional positions in the coming years. The 60 employees currently working at the Franksville facility have all been offered the opportunity to continue in Waukesha and the majority plan to do so, according to the company.
Sprinkman will also be maintaining its Elroy, Wisconsin operations, which makes stainless steel tanks for the company. There are 56 employees at that location.
Oberlin Filter moved from the Pilot Court facility to a new 92,340-square-foot headquarters facility on Silvernail Road in Waukesha. The city approved $975,000 in tax incremental financing for the project in 2014.
