North Liberty plastics molder expanding in Wisconsin

Centro Inc., a custom rotational plastics molder based in North Liberty, is expanding its presence in Wisconsin by opening a manufacturing facility in Beaver Dam.

Centro has seven molding operations, including a plant in Horicon, Wis., 11 miles from Beaver Dam. Lisa McCool,  Centro director of sales, said the Horicon facility has reached its capacity and Centro is unable to expand it.

"Our customers want us to stay in that area," McCool said. "We will be adding over 90,000 square feet, up to five rotational molding machines and a minimum of 70 new jobs to support the business."

Centro designs and manufacturers rotationally molded products for original equipment manufacturers in many industries such as lawn and garden, agriculture and construction. The additional manufacturing space is needed to support new business in those industries.

"Our growth over the last few years has been incredible so all of our current locations have reached capacity," said Brian Olesen, Centro's president and CEO.

With the Beaver Dam plant, Oleson said Centro will have more than 170 employees and 130,000 square feet of manufacturing in Wisconsin.

"2014 will be an even bigger year as we have more announcements to come," Oleson added.