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May 1, 2024
DE PERE – Continued growth is spurring the construction of the AmeriLux Family of Companies’ new complex in De Pere’s new eastside business park.
According to CEO and Owner Kurt Voss, AmeriLux plans to build a $40 million, nearly 500,000-square-foot facility on a 22.5-acre site in the 2000 block of Commerce Drive – which is just more than a mile from the company’s headquarters at 1300 Enterprise Drive.
“This expansion will serve all of our entities under one roof,” he said.
Project specifics
According to site plans, AmeriLux is building a 355,000-square-foot building located between the end of Commerce Drive and Profit Place and a 143,000-square-foot building northeast of the first building on Commerce Drive.
The company’s trucking and distribution operations, according to the site plan, will occupy the majority of the new space with some room used for manufacturing.
As part of the project, the City of De Pere would provide $6 million in public financial support for the project.
Voss said construction should begin this year and finish by the end of 2025.
Daniel Lindstrom, director of development services for the City of De Pere, said AmeriLux’s new facility will add about $35 million in value growth to the business park.
“It is vitally important to ensure an existing De Pere business can continue to grow and expand in De Pere,” he said. “The $40 million in total construction project will add about 100 new positions and impact many construction jobs in the region.”
Voss said the new jobs are estimated to be added across the entire company – from truck drivers and warehouse personnel to general labor and management – during the next couple of years.
The expansion, he said, is a “win-win” that helps De Pere increase its tax base and positions the company and its workers to “chase their potential.”
At just the right time
Lindstrom said AmeriLux’s expansion comes as the long-awaited Southern Bridge Connector Project moves closer to reality.
As part of that project, he said a new road will be built from Packerland Drive to U.S. 41 where a new interchange will be added.
Lindstrom said the new highway will continue to County D where it will then cross the Fox River and eventually meet up with County PP and end at County X.
He said the new bridge will improve access to east De Pere from U.S. 41 because the industrial park is close to the new highway.
Voss said the Southern Bridge Connector Project will improve AmeriLux’s connection to the interstate, making it easier for its products to reach their destinations.
The AmeriLux project, Lindstrom said, will utilize the majority of the remaining parcels in the business park expansion and will be located along the newly constructed Commerce Drive extension.
Kurt Voss said construction should begin on AmeriLux’s expansion this year and finish by the end of 2025. Submitted Rendering
“An industrial development project of this size and scale will also assist with the South Bridge Connector Project by providing additional Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenue support to the project,” he said.
If approved by the De Pere City Council, Lindstrom said the deal includes AmeriLux’s purchase of land from the city for $500,000.
The city, he said, would then provide almost $6.4 million in assistance via a TIF district to AmeriLux – a $175,000 site assembly grant and a $6.2 million development assistance grant, which would be paid in two installments: $3 million in 2025 and $3.2 million in 2026.
Lindstrom said the grant would be repaid by the new property tax revenue the facility generates.
The two buildings’ layout, he said, will allow De Pere to maintain its existing stormwater pipe that drains water from the business park and the East Industrial Park to a detention basin north of AmeriLux’s new location.
A bit more about AmeriLux
Founded by Voss in 2004, AmeriLux began as a value-added distributor of building materials and plastic sheet products but has since grown to include transportation and logistics entities and the acquisition of two businesses.
The company buys, stores and sells quantities of building materials.
Voss said it adds value by offering various services, from as little as cutting plastic sheets to size for a customer up to fabricating and assembling products.
He said the company first expanded in 2010 when it launched AmeriLux Transportation to handle its trucking needs.
Voss said this segment has grown from one truck to more than 30 trucks and drivers.
In 2016, he said AmeriLux Logistics was created to ship, receive and warehouse materials and inventory for its clients.
Voss said AmeriLux’s purchase of two businesses – EZPVC, a Las Vegas-based value-added distributor and manufacturer of PVC components including EZ Liner and EZ Forms; and Shape Products, a Menomonie-based manufacturer of plastic window wells, window well covers and over items – has also added to its overall growth.
Today, the company employs 235 people.
Voss said the company’s “A Team” culture encourages employees to find win-win opportunities, focus on results, look for ways to improve and do things the right way.
He said it also helps it attract and keep employees.
