10.17.11
Rockline Industries is adding at least 55 jobs in Sheboygan after signing a long-term contract with a multinational company. Kirk Engholt, Rockline's vice president of human resources, says the contract is one of several the company has signed with new customers in recent months.
"Fortunately, Rockline has been growing year in and year out over the last 10 to 15 years, and this is just continued expansion," Engholt says. "We're very fortunate to be in the markets that we do serve.”
Rockline — one of the city's largest manufacturers — produces wet wipes and coffee filters for both branded and private label categories. It employs about 650 people in Sheboygan and 2000 worldwide.
The new contracts are expected to create at least 55 but as many as 80 jobs. The employees will be hired during the next six months to a year, and additional production will begin in nine months to a year.
As part of the job creation, Rockline received a $550,000 loan from the Sheboygan Redevelopment Authority and $500,000 in tax credits from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. The Redevelopment Authority funds are to be used for new equipment and are tied to the creation and maintenance of jobs for at least five years.
Rockline is also adding a 6000 square-foot addition to its existing plant within the next six months to a year.