Retirees joined with current employees of AFS Corporate Member Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry (WAF) to break ground on a new 55,000 square-foot expansion project at the Manitowoc, Wisconsin, foundry during a retiree/employee recognition and appreciation event on September 1. The new $20 million addition will create 80 new jobs and accelerate WAF’s growth in key target markets such as electric vehicles, medical equipment, and consumer products. The facility will be operational in the summer of 2023.

“We’re excited to be expanding and diversifying our manufacturing capabilities to meet demand as the U.S. and global markets continue to evolve,” said WAF CEO Sachin Shivaram. “The history and legacy of WAF and its founders, the Schwartz family, have always been to look to the future and the opportunities ahead, and that’s what we’re doing. The family also understood that the foundry’s success is a result of the team of dedicated employees. Today’s celebration is much more than just celebrating the expansion; it’s about recognizing and honoring our retirees and showing our appreciation and gratitude for current team members.”

“From the start, the Schwartz family understood that its future relied on our employees, and that each team member had a pivotal role in the company’s success,” Shivaram said. “That philosophy has carried through the generations of family leadership and lives on to this day. We’re proud to honor all the men and women that have worked here over the years and also to those that are current team members.” The company invites retirees to visit the plant each year at Labor Day, providing them with breakfast and a tour of the facility
Prior to the groundbreaking, a recognition breakfast was held to honor more than 50 retirees from the company. During the breakfast, attendees were given a copy of the recently completed book, “Never Think You’re Better Than The Workers,” which highlights the history of WAF and the Schwartz family who founded and led the company since 1909. The company also premiered a new documentary about WAF’s history produced by KHROME Agency from Green Bay.