Twin Expansions Bring More Than 70 Jobs to Watertown

WATERTOWN, S.D. - Two Watertown manufacturers are expanding their operations and creating more than 70 new jobs in the community.

Today, Gov. Mike Rounds announced that Dakota Bodies, Inc., a custom-made utility vehicle manufacturer, and Metrix, LLC, a liquid and powder coat finish provider, are both expanding and moving into the same Watertown facility. Both firms will relocate to the former Acrotech building in December.

“Having two businesses expand simultaneously is great news for the Watertown area,” Gov. Rounds said. “It’s impressive to have both of these firms collaborate for mutual benefit. This coordinated expansion would not be possible if they had not decided to work together. We are pleased to play a supporting role.”

Dakota Bodies, currently located in the Pheasant Ridge Industrial Park, was founded at Watertown in 1997. The company has already expanded twice. Its most recent expansion is expected to add about 50 jobs within five years.

“Watertown has been a great fit for Dakota Bodies,” said Jeff Orthaus, President, Dakota Bodies. “The community understands the need for timely and smooth transitions. Focus Watertown (community development group) connected us with an operation-ready space to help us expedite our expansion.”

Metrix, currently located in a facility west of Watertown, came to the community in 2005. Metrix first expanded in 2006. The second expansion will add about 25 jobs to Metrix’s payroll within five years.

“It just makes sense for us to keep growing in Watertown,” said Chad Orthaus, President, Metrix. “The community works hard to help us expand and offers low property taxes, low utility rates, a strong manufacturing presence, and easy interstate access.”

The moves will add more than twice the current production space for each company. The building allows for continued growth, improved efficiencies, and immediate and long-term employment opportunities.

“Available properties are a key element in any expansion or relocation. In this instance, Watertown had a vacated building that enabled the two expanding businesses to both have operation-ready space,” said Focus Watertown President, Craig Atkins.

Atkins said Watertown Development Company (WDC) owned the 98,000-square-foot building that will house Dakota Bodies and Metrix. Ownership of the building is partially financed by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

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