Schmit Prototypes is a Homegrown Success Story

Schmit Prototypes is a nationally known, full-service prototyping company with production capabilities, serving clients across the United States from their location in Menomonie, Wisconsin. This local success story began in the mid-1970s when Mark and Mike Schmit began making prototypes out of their garage. In short order, they moved into the UW-Stout incubator where the business benefited from local support. Continuing to expand, Schmit Prototypes quickly needed a permanent facility and moved into the Menomonie Industrial Park where they have continued expanding. In 2018, they broke ground on an additional 44,976 square feet of space, totaling 80,236 square feet.

The expansion is part of a strategy implemented by new owners, Steve Upton and Randy Larson, to further integrate Schmit Prototypes and Can-Am Integration - an automation company they have owned since 1998. Can-Am Integration will be occupying the new space, in addition to the injection molding division of Schmit. Working in close proximity to each other will allow the two companies to share talent as needed and for the owners to continue taking an active role in the company’s growth.

Menomonie Has Been the Ideal Location for Growth

As a prototyping company that prides itself on producing the finest quality with on-time deliveries, Schmit has benefited from being located in Menomonie. Their western Wisconsin location is only an hour from the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul – close enough to benefit from quick access to major customers, while far enough away to enjoy lower real estate prices and operating costs. Growing so significantly could have been a challenge in a larger metro where land is at a premium and difficult to find. By being located in the Menomonie Industrial Park, the company was able to expand four different times. They were never constrained for space and had the freedom to physically grow at the same rate as their sales numbers.

Simultaneously, the local workforce has proven more than up to the task of producing the highest quality models and prototypes using the latest in high-tech equipment. With UW-Stout producing highly skilled graduates, the company can continue using local talent to fuel their expansion.

“Our project managers, technicians, and model makers pride themselves on producing the finest models and prototypes available anywhere. Schmit Prototypes welcomes projects at any stage from design, concept validation, short-run prototype, and production. Our project managers take the time to understand the full scope of the project, and by offering multiple services we have the ability to choose the best-suited path for that particular job,” said a Schmit representative. The strength of the local workforce allows Schmit to take on the toughest challenges and know that their team will deliver every time.

Discover the Benefits of Menomonie and Dunn County

If you are starting a business or expanding, we invite you to consider the many benefits of locating in Menomonie and Dunn County. We are confident that, like Schmit Prototypes, you will find that our area of Western Wisconsin has a lot to offer, including land for development, low operating costs, a skilled workforce and a welcoming community.

To learn more or to schedule a tour, contact Eric Turner, Executive Director of Dunn County Economic Development Corporation at 715-232-4009 or by emailing Eric.Turner@DunnEDC.com.