New $14.5 million facility in Marshfield, WI

Weinbrenner Shoe Company, Inc. announces new $14.5 million facility in Marshfield designed and built by Ellis Construction

Employee-owned shoe company, serving Marshfield for nearly nine decades, reinvests in central Wisconsin for future generations

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (August 14, 2024) — Ellis Construction, a highly regarded, full-service construction company based in Stevens Point, is excited to serve as designer and builder to Weinbrenner Shoe Company’s brand-new, state-of-the-art facility in Marshfield, Wisconsin. The recently approved $14.5 million manufacturing facility will break ground in September on Commerce Drive, located in the Mill Creek Business Park. The facility is expected to open in late 2025, coinciding with the 90th anniversary of Weinbrenner Shoe Company producing American-made, quality work boots in Marshfield.

Ellis Construction designed the new 70,000-square-foot building with a focus on employee health and productivity. The production floor will be modernized to accommodate equipment with safety and technology upgrades. Additionally, the new facility is expected to bring 35 new jobs to the organization, expanding Weinbrenner’s current workforce of 120.

Founded in 1892, Weinbrenner Shoe Company is one of the oldest shoe companies still manufacturing within the United States. Renowned for its high-quality, job-fitted footwear, it designs shoes for comfort and performance, tailored for what was once called “jobbing” trades geared toward blue-collar workers. The manufacturer is best recognized for Thorogood work boots, known for being tough, durable and designed for those on their feet all day.

"We're committed to investing in domestic manufacturing and take great pride in being a Wisconsin-based company. Breaking ground on this new facility isn't just about increasing capacity—it's about making Weinbrenner Shoe Company a great place to work. These expansions have enabled us to sustain growth and meet the rising demand for Thorogood footwear," said Jeff Burns, president of Weinbrenner Shoe Company. "Several states tried to lure us away, but Wisconsin is our home."

Ellis Construction, having served central Wisconsin for more than 90 years itself, is proud to work with Weinbrenner on this new chapter, using its expertise as a full-service construction company to design and build the new facility.

“As a locally owned organization that prides itself on its employees being home every night, we know the importance of keeping jobs here in central Wisconsin. When Weinbrenner Shoe Company and the city of Marshfield invest in their local economy by keeping a major employer in the area and enabling it to enhance its safety and productivity, it lifts up the entire community,” said Andrew Halverson, executive vice president and co-owner of Ellis Construction. “We’re excited to break ground this fall and be a part of leaving a lasting landmark that will impact the Marshfield area for generations to come.”