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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, February 7, 2007
CONTACT: Mary Lehecka Nelson, 773-3301
BERGQUIST chooses Brandon for manufacturing facility
PIERRE, S.D. –The Bergquist Company will expand its operation into Brandon, South Dakota, a move which will result in the creation of 40 jobs and more than $11 million in capital investment. Ground will be broken on a 45,000 square foot facility later this year.
“Bergquist is an international name in electronics manufacturing,” said Governor Mike Rounds. “The company’s decision to locate in South Dakota is further proof of the advantages our state offers high-tech and electronic companies. We’re proud that the Bergquist Company has chosen South Dakota,” he said.
Headquartered in Chanhassen, Minnesota, the Bergquist Company has five additional domestic manufacturing plants located in Big Fork MN, Cannon Falls MN, Prescott WI, Torrington CT and Wareham MA. Additionally, Bergquist has manufacturing, sales and marketing support throughout the world, with more than 900 employees in 30 locations worldwide.
A leading manufacturer of engineered materials and components for the electronics industry, Bergquist ranks as the largest supplier of thermal interface materials in the world. The firm is the sixth largest privately held electronics company in Minnesota and the fiftieth largest privately held electronics company in North America.
At a time when many electronic manufacturers have moved operations overseas,
Bergquist is expanding in the U.S. Continued solid sales growth and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) customer demand for ensured supply chain continuity have driven this expansion.
“Multiple facilities provide not only additional capacity, but operational redundancy as well,” said Richard Miles, Bergquist Facilities Manager. “The new manufacturing plant in Brandon will help us fill a critical requirement in servicing today’s demanding OEM customers.”
Numerous locations were reviewed prior to selecting Brandon, according to Miles. Traditional factors were evaluated such as proximity to headquarters, transportation accessibility on ground and air and energy suitability. Based on these factors alone, any number of sites could have been chosen.
“The commitment of the South Dakota Economic Development team to us as manufacturers wanting to stay in the U.S. was what set Brandon apart from other locations,” Miles said. “That commitment, coupled with excellent population growth demographics and a strong South Dakota work ethic, ultimately solidified our decision.”
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Contact Additional Information:
For the Bergquist Company:
Richard Miles
Facilities Manager
(952) 835-2322
richardm@bergquistcompany.com
For the State of South Dakota:
Mary Lehecka Nelson
Marketing Manager
Governor’s Office of Economic Development
711 E. Wells Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3301
mary.leheckanelson@state.sd.us
For the Minnehaha County Economic Development Association:
Jeff Eckhoff
MCEDA
(605) 339-0103
jeffe@siouxfalls.com