Badger Paperboard expanding in Fredonia

Demand for a Fredonia business’ product is driving it to expand in the industrial park.

Badger Paperboard is planning to increase its manufacturing plant by 47,000 square feet, invest in new manufacturing equipment and create 15 to 22 new jobs, according to a release.

The company specializes in custom cutting and supplying chipboard used in businesses throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Products range from the backing of notebooks and legal pads to cereal boxes and from cardboard pieces that help shirt collars hold their shape to reinforced Amazon boxes that protect products.

Businesses are seeking more of that type of stuff.

“Our company continues to experience significant growth, and this expansion allows us to keep pace with the increasing demand from our customers,” a Badger Paperboard representative said. “Fredonia is home to our headquarters and an outstanding team that has been instrumental in our success. We are excited to continue investing in the village, support the local economy and welcome additional employees from the community to our growing workforce.”

The expansion will allow the company to increase its product line capacity and better serve both existing and new customers.

The company also has plants in Los Angeles, Houston and Charlotte, N.C.

The most common size of chipboard products sold by the company is 40-by-48 inches, with most of those sheets used as pallet liners.

The company started in Random Lake in 1997 and has been in Fredonia since 2000. Founder Mark Smiley continues to be the CEO.

The expansion is the latest addition to Fredonia’s tax incremental finance district No. 3. The 52-acre TIF district was created in 2021 and is slated to end in 2040.

The village has invested about $5 million in the district, buying the land, grading it, adding roads and running utilities to the sites. The estimated value of the land now is about $7.5 million, Village Administrator Christophe Jenkins said.

Village President Peter Lenz said the expansion is a win-win for the village.

“Badger Paperboard’s expansion in the Village of Fredonia not only helps to make our tax incremental district solvent, but it cements this company as a pillar of our community,” he said.

Kathy Cady Schilling, executive director of Ozaukee Economic Development, highlighted the regional impact of the expansion.

“Badger Paperboard’s expansion reflects the strength of Ozaukee County’s manufacturing sector and the confidence businesses have in our community,” she said.

Badger Paperboard is in the final stages of securing grant funding through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to support the expansion.

“This announcement demonstrates exactly why the village continues to invest in infrastructure and economic development,” Jenkins said. “When existing employers choose to grow here, it validates the work being done to create an environment where businesses can succeed. We’re proud that Badger Paperboard has chosen Fredonia for its next chapter of growth, and we look forward to supporting their continued success.”

Construction is expected to begin following permit approvals and reception of grant money.