PIERRE, S.D. – AKG North American Operations, Inc., held a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, June 26^th and announced an expansion that will include the addition of approximately 60,000 square feet of manufacturing space and 215 employees to its Mitchell facility.

AKG is a German-based company that produces custom-designed, brazed aluminum air-cooled heat exchangers for radiators, oil coolers, air coolers and fuel coolers. The Mitchell plant produces coolers and heat exchangers for both construction and agricultural equipment.

“AKG has been a strong corporate citizen in Mitchell since 2004,” said Pat Costello, commissioner, Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED). “The company’s decision to continue growing its business in Mitchell is great news for Mitchell and the State of South Dakota.”

“We are in need of aluminum welders, and we are hoping to both hire area welders and recruit welders from other states that would relocate their families to Mitchell by offering them a long lasting job opportunity at competitive wages,” said Wolfgang E. Dallmann, vice president, AKG North American Operations, Inc. “This will mean that that more families will have good jobs with benefits right here in Mitchell.”

The GOED and the Mitchell Area Development Corporation (MADC) have been working with AKG to make the expansion possible. AKG recently received $50,000 for workforce training from MADC.

 "This is an exciting day for Mitchell,” said Bryan Hisel, executive director of MADC. “It’s great to have an international presence like AKG is in our community because it really adds value to our city.”

Construction has already started, and AKG hopes to complete the project by the end of the year.

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