Sheboygan Falls-based Johnsonville Sausage LLC has purchased a 63,000-square-foot building in the Watertown Business Park that will be used to support the company’s fresh sausage operations and production. The building sold for $2.2 million.
Johnsonville said the facility, which is expected to begin operations in spring 2016, will create 30 jobs in the next year, with the potential of adding 70 more to support company growth.
The sausage company previously conducted its Watertown operations at a facility located on Division Street, where a fire occurred in May.
Since the fire, Johnsonville said it has engaged its Watertown members through training programs and community volunteering at local organizations, such as the Octagon House and the Rock River Rescue Foundation, and paid them a full wage.
“We have been proud to operate in Watertown for nearly 35 years and are pleased for our business-and for our 120 local members-that we can remain part of the community,” said Ralph Stayer, founder and chairman of Johnsonville Sausage. “We also look forward to creating at least 30 new jobs and welcoming even more Watertown residents to the Johnsonville family.”
The new building, formerly occupied by label printer Multi-Color Corp., is located at 1222 Perry Way.
Johnsonville in total employs approximately 1,600 members.
