City celebrates Direct Supply expansion

Ribbon-cutting marks first phase of project to add 2,500 new jobs
 

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Governor Jim Doyle celebrated the opening of the first new building of Direct Supply’s $85 million expansion project today in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Direct Supply, Inc. is growing its company facilities at 6767 N. Industrial Road and to expand to adjacent properties, creating an improved, hi-tech campus. The complex currently houses 850 employees. Under the expansion plan, more than 500,000 square feet of new office space will be added to house 1,500 new employees over ten years. Nine separate buildings on the company’s campus will be linked by new multi-story additions. According to the company’s comprehensive plan, the expansion increases the capacity of the company to add up 2,500 employees over 20 years. The City of Milwaukee is assisting Direct Supply, Inc. expansion project through the creation of a $13 million developer-financed Tax Incremental Financing District. Direct Supply is a privately held, employee-owned company started in 1985. Through its Direct Supply Equipment division, the company is the largest supplier of equipment for nursing homes, assisted living centers and retirement communities in the U.S. It also operates the largest supply chain network for those customers through its DSSI division. The company is a major employer of graduates from the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin System.