SWI Industrial Solutions absorbs Marshfield workshop

A Springfield-based sheltered workshop in operation for more than 50 years has taken over a similar operation in Marshfield.

SWI Industrial Solutions Inc., which started in 1966, on Jan. 13 absorbed Web-Co Custom Industries Inc., at 948 S. Prairie Lane in Marshfield, said SWI General Manager Dave Dunn. No money was exchanged in the transaction, Dunn said, adding he is now manager of both workshops. SWI also did not take on any debt, he said.

As part of the deal, Web-Co Custom Industries is now SWI Webster County. Mike Frazier, Web-Co’s former general manager, remains on staff and is in the newly created role of director of community awareness, Dunn said. In addition, two members of Web-Co’s former board of directors – Mike Daniel and Brian Brooks – have joined SWI’s board. It is now a 13-member board of directors, he added.

Both SWI Industrial Solutions, which Dunn said is informally known as Springfield Workshop, and SWI Webster County employ people with developmental disabilities. Through the deal, he said the Marshfield facility maintains its workforce of 85 employees with 10 additional staff members who support them on-site. Including SWI’s Springfield operation at 2835 W. Bennett St., the company now employs 280 production workers and 35 staff members.

“We were approached two and a half months ago about taking over the operation from Web-Co,” Dunn said, noting the workshop “had a few down years,” declining to disclose financials. “They were looking to secure the workshop as a place for people with disabilities to continue to work.”

In Marshfield, SWI Webster County’s building is 80,000 square feet, Dunn said, comprising 50,000 square feet for warehousing, 20,000 square feet in production space and 10,000 square feet for offices. For the company, he said the deal expands warehousing to 90,000 square feet and 65,000 square feet for production between the two facilities.

“This will give us the opportunity to bring in more business and get it out,” Dunn said, adding SWI had to turn down some jobs in the past due to insufficient manpower and warehouse space.

The workshops generally handle collating, light assembly and packaging work with clients such as 3M Co. (NYSE: MMM), SMC Packaging Group and McCormick & Co. Inc.

It was a record year in revenue for SWI in 2019, with 30% year-over-year growth from 2018, Dunn said, declining to disclose the total. He’s also optimistic on 2020 prospects – particularly with the deal closed.

“Manufacturing is having some good years, and it trickles down to us,” he said, adding he’s hopeful for another 20% in revenue growth this year. “We have some pressure to make sure it keeps on growing [in Marshfield].”