GEA to Build $25M Manufacturing and Drying Hub Next to its Wisconsin New Food Center

German process engineering group GEA will be constructing a 70,000-square-foot building on its campus in Janesville, Wisconsin, adding equipment manufacturing, assembly, and testing capabilities to its existing pilot facility. The new building, expected to cost around $25 million, will allow for a more streamlined process for customers, going from testing to production planning without the need to switch teams or sites. Construction is set to start in the fall, with completion targeted for the end of 2027 and full operations beginning in early 2028.

The new space will focus on drying technologies and will also provide customer and internal training and application testing. This expansion comes on the heels of GEA's previous investments in Janesville, including a production facility and the New Food Application and Technology Center. The company's total investment in the area is expected to reach around $75 million, with the creation of 52 full-time equivalent positions tied to a performance-based jobs incentive from the city. In Janesville, customers will now have access to a seamless process from testing to production planning in a single visit, thanks to the new manufacturing and drying hub.