PPI’s expansion takes shape

September 1, 2016

By David Nordby The Brillion News

BRILLION – Professional Plating, Inc. (PPI), a staple of the Brillion community, is in the midst of their 60,000 square feet addition. The company will have over 210,000 square feet when the project is over.

A new zinc rack plating system, that’s currently being installed, will be operational in October. “The new plating line is engineered to have the highest level of automation for control, as well as safety for the PPI team members,” PPI General Manager Larry Dietz said. “The machine will have the best of the best.”

The construction project will also bring more jobs to Brillion, including openings that the company is currently interviewing for. The new jobs will bring the company’s total to over 200 team members.

“We continue to expand in Brillion because we believe in the community of Brillion,” Dietz said.

The zinc rack plating system is one part of the $7.5 million project that was announced last November and began in December.

PPI also relocated a 10,000 square foot building from the Northway Drive Campus to across the street and already has a tenant who is using the space and creating additional business in Brillion.

The office is being moved to the “front” of the building on Northway Drive, though their address is staying the same because of where the mailbox has always been.

The back side of the building, facing Highway 10, will be repurposed in 2017 to include new team member entrances, a first floor cafeteria and potential other improvements for the employees.

The expansion at PPI has also allowed the introduction of many environmentally friendly practices. Windows have been added to bring in more natural light and significant investments in LED lights have been made.

There’s a DNR approved pond on the side of the building that will help drainage while also being environmentally friendly. The pond will later have a fountain added to help circulation.

The project has had eight main contractors, including Keller Inc., who also handled all of the previous expansion projects that PPI has done. PPI has earned the moniker they like to use – “Here we grow again,” – with all of the expansions they’ve had.

Bob and Pat Endries established Professional Plating Inc. in 1979, with a zinc plating operation consisting of a barrel line and later purchased a rack plating line in 1983. The company has steadily expanded ever since, including in 2009 when the company added 65,000 square feet with a fully automated zinc barrel plating line.

Please see the photo gallery of PPI’s expansion in the September 1, 2016 edition of The Brillion News.