June 5, 2025 2:45p
(WGTD)---Production has begun at the new Schutz Container Systems manufacturing plant off of 60th St. in Kenosha on the city's far west side.
Kenosha Mayor Dave Bogdala, City Administrator John Morrissey, several members of the City Council and a reporter took an hour-long tour of the large facility this week.
Equipment fills just a small percentage of the shiny, new cavernous plant, as additional lines will be added in the months ahead, according to Project Manager Tom Neil. At the moment, a small staff, with the help of robots and other automation, is producing plastic blue barrels and what are called "intermediate bulk containers', or IBC's for short. They're large, easily-stackable white plastic bins that can be used to store and ship liquids, semi-solids and solids. The production lines move slowly for training purposes, Neil said.
After the tour, Mayor Bogdala said the Schutz plant represents part of the city's strategy of drawing new manufacturing to the city. "That's been a big focus for us. There's been a lot of push for manufacturing and that's where we're headed. We're very proud to have them (Schutz) be a part of this community," he said.
The German-based company is in the process of securing approvals for a second plant that would manufacture steel drums. That facility is earmarked for the Kenosha Industrial Park off of 52nd St.
That plant is expected to employ as many as 165 workers. When it's at capacity, the 60th St. plant is expected to employ 200.
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