Work in Beloit
BELOIT IS A GREAT COMMUNITY TO LIVE AND WORK
The Greater Beloit area is rich with education, recreation, leisure, and a strong professional community providing the opportunity for personal development to each and every member of its diverse population. With several major metropolitan areas a short distance away, residents can easily access big-city attractions and still come home to the charm and comfort of a small community.
Beloit has a robust and thriving economy. Just ask Andrew Janke, economic development director for the City of Beloit and the executive director of the Greater Beloit Economic Development Corp. For the past 14 years, Janke has worked with companies located in Beloit looking to grow or expand, and outside companies looking for a new location to call home.
“It’s all about location, location, location,” says Janke. “We have the ideal location here with outstanding infrastructure with the confluence of three interstates – I-90, I-39 and I-43, as well as our proximity to raw materials and major population centers such as Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago and the Twin Cities. We have a proud tradition of manufacturing and skilled workforce.”
Below we’ve featured some of Beloit’s top employers.
AccuLynx
When Rich Spanton, president of Mastercraft Exteriors, a national roofing company, had a problem with his software, he didn’t turn to another company for answers. He created his own program.
Developed over 15 years ago to streamline roofing contractors’ operations, AccuLynx has become the leading cloud-based business management software for exterior contractors. Today, the software serves thousands of companies nationwide and employs hundreds of dedicated individuals focused on helping roofing contractors succeed.
“If you are a sell it, build it, collect it contractor, this software was meant for you,” says Lynn Foster, Director of Operations.
ABC Supply Inc.
ABC Supply’s bold white building is a focal point of Beloit riverfront landscape. With their location on a hill overlooking the riverfront, employees have sweeping views of the river and beautiful Riverside Park. ABC Supply Co., Inc. not only dominates the Beloit riverfront, but stands out in Beloit’s employment landscape. ABC Supply Co., Inc. is the largest wholesale distributor of roofing in the United States and one of the nation’s largest distributors of siding, windows and other select exterior building products. It is a nearly $5 billion company with more than 450 branches in 45 states and approximately 7,000 associates. The company has received eight consecutive Gallup Great Workplace Awards, which honors the most engaged and productive workforces in the world.
Campbell’s
The 140,000 square-foot Kettle Brand plant opened in 2007 with 200 employees. The plant consisted of 4 fryers and 3 baggers. Over the next 3 years, the plant added 2 additional baggers and 4 additional fryers.
In 2010, Diamond Foods purchased the plant and promptly expanded the plant in 2011 doubling capacity.
Snyder’s Lance purchased the plant in 2016 adding 2 additional fryers and the ability to run Cape Cod chips.
In an effort to bolster their snacks portfolio, Campbell’s purchased the plant in 2018.
“I came to Beloit through my association with Campbell’s.” says Beloit Plant Manager, Rob Ramer. “When I first came to Beloit, very few people knew Campbell’s owned the plant. We’ve partnered with different organizations in the Beloit area to help drive awareness and name recognition. Through some great organizations like the YMCA sponsored Corporate Cup to Meals on Wheels and to the Beloit Sky Carp, the Beloit area is filled with great people who help great businesses like Campbell’s thrive.”
The Ironworks Campus
One of the most popular landmarks in Beloit is the Ironworks campus, located on the banks of the Rock River in the heart of Beloit’s City Center. For nearly 150 years this site was home to the Beloit Corporation. Like many industries in the region, Beloit Corporation struggled and ultimately closed its doors in 1999.
But rather than let the property sit empty, Diane and the late Ken Hendricks had other ideas. In 2001 the Hendricks bought the property and began redevelopment of the campus. It was renamed the “Ironworks” to honor the center’s history, and renovation on the 750,000 square-foot property began in 2002. Former office buildings, foundry, and various manufacturing and storage areas were converted into attractive loft offices and manufacturing space.
“It was important for Ken and Diane to make that campus come alive again,” says Rob Gerbitz, president of Hendricks Commercial Properties, which owns and manages the property, along with others in 39 states. “It brings new jobs. A big part of this community is downtown and a major focus of downtown is the Ironworks campus. They saw this as an opportunity of how good business in downtown Beloit could be.”