Just four years after purchasing their production facility, Milwaukee Pretzel Company is feeling the pinch and expanding their production site footprint.
The expansion will more than double the size of the their facility, located at 8050 N. Granville Woods Road in Milwaukee, from 22,000 square feet to 50,000 square feet. Increased production floor space, warehouse space, freezer storage, and docks are planned to accommodate the growing demand for their renowned soft Bavarian pretzels.
Matt Wessel, owner and president of Milwaukee Pretzel Company, knows Keller, a leading design-build contractor and fellow FaB member, is up for the challenge.
“Keller appeared on our radar after meeting one of their project managers at a FaB event,” says Wessel. “We had met with and talked with a handful of similar companies around that time because we were getting ready to need to make a facility move. When we got serious about looking at new spaces, we gravitated toward Keller because of their customer service and reputation. They did a really great job meeting us where we were and helping us navigate the complex decision of a facility move.”
And as the project progresses, Wessel calls working with Keller, who is 100% employee-owned, with 275 employee-owners and design and build experts with offices throughout the state, “easy.”
“They’re very accessible. They’re very fair,” he explains. “They try to be as transparent as possible. And their business model, which puts all of the services under one roof, makes it really convenient for us as busy business owners.”
Nathan Laurent, southeast region vice president and co-owner of Keller, is excited for the continued partnership with the Wessels and Milwaukee Pretzel Company.
“Matt and Katie are just incredible business owners to work with. They come off as someone you’ve known your whole life and are just down to earth,” says Laurent. “They’re a delight to work with from a business stance too. They value our Keller master planning approach and it has been a pleasure working on this expansion for them. Plus, their pretzels are the best and that is a direct reflection of the work and passion Matt and Katie have put into the business.”