February 13, 2012 – Generac Power Systems Inc., a manufacturer of backup power generation equipment, will commit $5-6 million to expanding and remodeling its Waukesha, Wisc., headquarters and an additional $3-4 million in upgrades to create a technical centre. The $8-10 million total investment will result in more jobs, more innovation and more technology for Generac, the manufacturing sector and the state of Wisconsin, it explained.

“The expansion of our headquarters isn’t just a major investment in our community, it is a major step in meeting the power generation and equipment demands of our customers,” Generac CEO Aaron Jagdfeld said. “We have been growing rapidly over the last decade and this expansion will give us the flexibility and space to not only add to our team, but will create a space to allow the best engineers and technicians in our field to innovate and develop tomorrow’s technology for our industry.”

Generac currently employs more than 550 people at its headquarters, and plans to add more than 200 new jobs over the next three years. The expansion and remodel is slatted to be completed by the end of 2013. Looking beyond 2013, Generac has already purchased land adjacent to the facility in preparation for future growth.

The current project will convert approximately 27,500 sf. of manufacturing space into office space and will add approximately 3300 sf. for a new main entryway that will include an area detailing the history of the company and its products.

“The renovation and remodel will create a more modern and collaborative workplace and will provide both new office and meeting space to the existing building,” said the company.

The technical centre will be a research, development and testing facility and will include investments in equipment for data acquisition, analysis and testing of engines, generators and other power equipment. “Specifically, new test chambers containing highly specialized equipment for the testing of emissions, sound, and environmentally controlled conditions will enable Generac’s engineering team to enhance its knowledge and competencies in these areas,” it added.