Indian motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield plans to establish its North American headquarters in the 101-year-old Mitchell Leather Factory & Retail Store building in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.
The company anticipates headquarters employment to reach 25 people by the end of 2017, according to a press release issued by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.
RENA’s offices are temporarily located in Milwaukee’s Fifth Ward, but permanent offices are being renovated in the Third Ward, where occupancy is expected during 2016. When completed, the office will house operations, marketing, sales, warranty, service, dealership development and finance functions for the North American business.
It was announced last week that the four-story, 39,450-square-foot building, located at 226 N. Water St., will be converted to apartments and retail space.
RENA spokesman Ryan Hoffins said the square footage of its headquarters is not yet known, but the investment will be between $200,000 to $300,000 to upgrade its space in the building.
“Milwaukee is the epicenter of motorcycling in the U.S., making it the optimal location for our headquarters,” said Rod Copes, president of RENA and a former long-running executive at Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson Motor Co . “The Third Ward location will also serve as our first fully branded U.S. dealership. We anticipate opening several similar stores in key metropolitan areas across the U.S. in the next 24 months.”
To help secure the establishment of the office, the WEDC will provide the company with up to $100,000 in tax credits through 2017. The actual amount of credits awarded will be contingent upon the number of jobs created during that period.
“Royal Enfield has a long tradition of manufacturing quality motorcycles, and we applaud this global company for its decision to select Wisconsin for its North American headquarters,” said Reed Hall, secretary and chief executive officer of WEDC. “The company had numerous options when it came to locating its headquarters, and WEDC is pleased to provide the assistance that helped make this possible in Wisconsin.”
A division of India-based Eicher Motors Ltd., Royal Enfield is a manufacturer of classic-styled, middleweight motorcycles.
