Door hinge maker headquarters in Whitewater
Company profile
Simonswerk, which recently located its marketing and distributing headquarters in Whitewater, is a German manufacturer of adjustable door hinges. It operates in 19 countries and generates annual sales of about $100 million with nearly 500 employees around the world.
Simonswerk has operated in the United States since the 1980s with about 15 distributors.
WHITEWATER — A European door hinge maker that put its North American headquarters in Whitewater this month believes it could expand here if the company grows.
Simonswerk, a German manufacturer of adjustable hinges, opened its marketing and distribution headquarters July 1 in Whitewater's business park. The company expects to create "a handful" of new jobs right away, but that could change if it continues its success.
Rudy Kessler, chief executive officer of the Whitewater facility, believes there could be room for expansion if the economy recovers.
"That's years down the road," he said. "Maybe five years down the road that's a possibility, and manufacturing might be possible as well. First, we want to establish our brand and company here and our customer base."
Whitewater had its ups and downs in the private business sector over the last nine months. Trostel Ltd. layoffs and Sallie Mae's closing left more than 200 people out of work. But Husco International and iPacesetters announced plans to add nearly as many jobs during that time.
The Innovation Center opened May 5, luring a variety of other small businesses from the area. The new facility is expected to serve as an incubator for companies looking to grow their operations.
Simonswerk has conducted business in America since the 1980s, Kessler said. About 15 distributors are spread across the United States.
Whitewater City Manager Kevin Brunner said he first met with Simonswerk officials late last year. It's leasing about 8,000 square feet near the Innovation Center.
The company was considering other locations for its headquarters. Kessler, who lives in Fort Atkinson, said Whitewater allowed for close proximity to Chicago, where Simonswerk ships and receives a lot of its products.
He also said Whitewater permitted the use of some of its other facilities for training and meetings.
"We're really pleased they selected Whitewater, and there's a strong possibility to expand here," Brunner said. "We think we got everything here for them to grow."
Aug 7, 2011 at 9:33 a.m.
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The term "Corporate Welfare" as used by a previous poster is simply an oxymoron. Welfare payments are given by those who actually earn to those who can't, don't or currently are not earning in return for nothing. Incenting a company to locate or stay in an area in return for the jobs they bring to that area is a business decision made by a community. It is far more similar to a salary negotiation in that the community is under no obligation to offer these incentives and the company is free to shop for whatever location they believe is in their best interest. If people in a community oppose offering these incentives they are free to elect officials that share their feelings. Likewise (at least for now although Boeing may disagree) companies can decide what is in their best interest and choose not to locate or stay in that type of community. It is really not that much different than a restaraunt that offer coupons, a bar that holds a happy hour or a car dealership that provides rebates. These are not "welfare" payments to the consumer, rather they are decisions made by each business in an attempt to attract paying customers.
Aug 7, 2011 at 7:40 a.m.
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How much of the local economy will hinge upon this development? It's no GM but it's better than nothing.
Jul 15, 2011 at 9:20 a.m.
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Considering how easily some of our lefties (Myviews2) come unhinged at the thought of attracting businesses with financial incentives, we could use a good hingemaker, and the jobs they bring in the area. You would think that the lefties would appreciate that residents with jobs are more able to pay taxes that enrich lefties by adding fuel to the gravy train of government employment than residents who just collect entitlements, thereby draining resources that could otherwise be used to give our public servants the raises they think they are entitled to.
Jul 14, 2011 at 3 p.m.
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Having a good city manager sure helps. Thanks Kevin for the great job you are doing.
Jul 13, 2011 at 8 p.m.
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Not sure that I have any more to cough up - but I am glad you now admit that people need to "cough it up" for the business leaders in order to buy jobs. Once in a while righties let their true thoughts accidentally slip out. Let's hear it for corporate welfare! I am happy, however, that there is new business locating in the area.
Jul 13, 2011 at 7:01 p.m.
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I applaud Whitewater for opening their community to new business. It is a great community with lower taxes and city officials who are aggressive with new business. Janesville could take some lessons from Whitewater, when it comes to marketing.
Wake up people, new businesses are always looking for an olive branch... cough it up.
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