Ironwood Power Systems to open new manufacturing facility

PESHTIGO – On Sept. 30, Ironwood Power Systems officially closed on the former Aacer flooring facility at 970 Ogden Rd., Peshtigo, and shared their usage and expansion plans with the City of Peshtigo Industrial Park Committee and Plan Commission.

Ironwood Power is a division of MJ Electric and a subsidiary of Quanta Services, the largest specialty contractor serving the electric power, pipeline and communications infrastructure industries in North America.

According to the project overview, “Ironwood was formed to manufacture products the industry currently buys from a small number of third-party suppliers, bringing that manufacturing capability, and the jobs that come with it, in-house.”

The Peshtigo manufacturing facility will operate out of the existing 316,000-square-foot building, with plans already in place to construct a 50,000-square-foot office addition. Currently, Ironwood Power plans for a $135 million total investment, including the facility, equipment and start-up costs.

A representative from MJ Electric spoke with the industrial park committee and plan commission regarding the site plan.

The company sought permission to have Lots 61 and 68 removed from industrial park covenants to avoid restrictions, such as city buyback clauses. The committee and commission agreed to this, with city attorney David Spangenberg set to draft an agreement.

Additionally, the site plan also included grading and parking lot expansions, a fencing plan and the stormwater runoff management plan. The site plan received conditional approval — dependent on the completion of a certified survey map — and was allowed to start construction and interior work as of Oct. 5.

According to Ironwood Power, this facility and addition are slated to begin with 45 positions when product production starts during the second quarter of 2027. The business plans to steadily increase production as they establish themselves, planning for 529 jobs by 2032. These positions will span across production, engineering and management.

By attracting and fulfilling these roles, Ironwood Power shared their commitment to the Peshtigo community, which will include, “A local and regional hiring focus, drawing primarily from the Peshtigo, Marinette, Menominee and Green Bay/Fox Valley corridor,” as well as “a partnership with [NWTC] campuses in Marinette and Green Bay for technical training and a pipeline of skilled talent” and “ongoing outreach to area high schools.”

The company also plans for “active participation in the Marinette & Menominee Chamber of Commerce, Job Service of Wisconsin and Marinette County.”