Milwaukee snowplow maker Douglas Dynamics will expand to former northwest side Russ Darrow site

Tom Daykin
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Snow removal equipment maker Douglas Dynamics Inc. plans to expand its operations on Milwaukee's northwest side.

Milwaukee-based snowplow maker Douglas Dynamics Inc. would expand its growing operations onto a former auto dealership site under a proposal that was recommended for approval Monday.

The Plan Commission endorsed the company's plans to redevelop a 52,000-square-foot building at 7676 N. 76th St. The proposal also needs Common Council zoning approval.

That property, which is just west of the Douglas Dynamics headquarters, 7777 N. 73rd St., last housed Russ Darrow Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Milwaukee.

The dealership moved this summer to Metro Auto Mall, at I-41 and West Good Hope Road.

Around 42,000 square feet of the former Russ Darrow building would be converted into manufacturing space, said Jim Smith, Douglas Dynamics engineering manager.

The remaining space at the front of the building would be for offices and a product display, he told commission members.

Douglas Dynamics in April paid $2.2 million for the 8.9-acre property. 

Douglas Dynamics is the world’s largest manufacturer of snow and ice control equipment: plows and salt spreaders that are attached to trucks.

The company employs more than 1,600 people nationwide.

That includes nearly 300 at its Milwaukee headquarters, which has the firm's offices, a factory and a distribution center.

Another 20 to 50 jobs would eventually be created through the planned expansion, Smith said.

Since 2012, the company’s annual sales have nearly quadrupled, to $524 million in 2018. About two-thirds of the increase has come from acquisitions.

Meanwhile, net profit margins have increased over the last five years compared with earlier periods.

The Douglas Dynamics project shows the continued strong demand for light industrial space on Milwaukee's northwest side, even as demand for retail space declines.

Other buildings have been converted into warehousing and manufacturing space, including Midwest Refrigeration Services Inc.'s new facility at a former Target Store, 8501 W. Brown Deer Road, and ETE Reman Inc.'s recent expansion at a former Toys 'R' Us, 8825 N. 76th St.

Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.