Waupaca Foundry is expanding into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and pointing to a shortage of skilled workers as a reason for the decision.
Crews in Ironwood will process iron castings that are made at its plants in Waupaca.
Anthony Snyder is the head of the Fox Valley Workforce Development Board. He says there simply aren’t enough people with the required skill set to fill all the open jobs in the state.
Waupaca Foundry CEO Mike Nikolai says they had to explore regions that have a solid base of talented people. About 60 workers are expected to be at the new location.
Snyder says he’s disappointed that they weren’t able to keep the company growing locally.
