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w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m F e b r u a r y 2 0 15 • I NSIGH T | 31 Modernization and food safety have also been big drivers." While the recession put a significant dent in manufacturing construction projects, most builders say they were able to find enough projects in other sectors to keep crews working. Still, they are glad to see the region's manufacturers in growth mode. "We are coming off of two record years and things are looking pretty good going forward," says Jim Perras, project director with Consolidated Construction. "People seem really confident in the future and interest rates for projects continue to be good." Consolidated will begin 2015 with an expansion project for Werner Electric Supply Co. in Grand Chute and recently wrapped up expansion projects for Bay Valley Foods and Kundinger Fluid Power. "A lot of the fundamentals are in place to move forward with these projects," Perras says. If there is any challenge that could dampen the surge in manufacturing construction projects, it is, ironically, the same challenge that many manufacturers themselves face: a shortage of skilled workers. e industry is facing challenges to replace those who le during the lean years, as well as baby boomers who are close to calling it a career. "Right now, as the market is bouncing back, those quality candidates are a bit harder to find," says Miles Girouard, president of Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, Inc., noting that like many other industries, technology plays a much greater role in construction jobs than it did just a few years ago. Nate says Miron is investing time on the high school level making sure students understand the needs and rewards from a career in construction. "e skilled labor shortage is only going to get worse if we don't take action now," he says. If the economy stays on its current path, Girouard expects amanufacturing companies will continue to expand. "e labor rates in places like China and India are getting more competitive, so it's making less sense to move things offshore," he says. "Many companies are bringing their manufacturing processes back to the U.S., and they need to hire workers and have a place to put them." "What we have seen both nationally and in Wisconsin is that 2014 was a profitable year with these types of projects. The capital projects really took off as these companies expanded their brands. Modernization and food safety have also been big drivers." – D a n Vo s s, v i ce p re s i d e nt o f fo o d a n d b e ve ra g e fo r M i ro n Co n s t ru c t i o n Co. , I n c. Checking that matches the way YOU do business. Small Business Checking: fnbfoxvalley.com 920.729.6900 $100 Minimum = No Monthly Fee Up to 350 items Debit Card Online Banking Member FDIC A sampling of manufacturing-related projects recently completed or under construction: » Galloway Company, Neenah — $15 million expansion and renovation of the company's corporate headquarters and production facility. » Bemis Co., Oshkosh — 163,000-square-foot expansion to the company's health care packaging manufacturing facility and office complex. » Grande Cheese Company, Fond du Lac — 87,000-square-foot corporate headquarters and research park. » HC&S, Clintonville, — 37,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. » Bay Valley Foods, Green Bay — 25,000-square-foot expansion of its existing manufacturing facility. Under construction