Jason Industries has sold the Brown Deer headquarters of its seating business for $3.1 million and is in the process of identifying a new location in the greater Milwaukee area.
Milsco Manufacturing Co. moved into the 154,000-square-foot facility at 9009 N. 51st St. in 1972. The company makes seats for a variety of markets including motorcycles, turf care, construction, agriculture, material handling and marine. It has nearly 900 employees worldwide, including 75 to 80 in Milwaukee.
Jason acquired Milsco in 1995. Production at the facility stopped several years ago and the building was initially put on the market for $5 million.
Chief operating officer Brian Kobylinski said the location was “underutilized,” adding the company plans to use the proceeds to pay down debt and to acquire or lease “a facility that is more appropriate for our employees in the area.”
Melissa Zona, Jason director of communications and public relations, said the company is looking for a new space and it will move once one was identified.
“The relocation is simply intended to find a space that better accommodates the business’ needs, is more conducive to attracting and retaining employees, and is in accessible, desirable location,” she said.
The Brown Deer facility, which had an assessed value of $3,564,700 in 2014, was sold to an affiliate of Milwaukee-based MCR Group. The deal closed on April 29.
Jason launched a $30 million cost reduction program earlier this year. It includes a restructuring and simplification of the corporate structure and optimization of operations. The project includes an evaluation of the company’s manufacturing footprint.
Other than its corporate headquarters in downtown Milwaukee and the Milsco facility in Brown Deer, Jason does not have any other operations in the Milwaukee area.
