WEBSTER, S.D. – Mereen-Johnson, manufacturers of industrial saws and woodworking machines, broke ground on an expansion of its manufacturing facility located in South Dakota. 

The expansion will increase the size of the facility’s assembly and machining area by 20 percent.

"Today we are pleased to enter a new phase in our growth as a company," said Paul Wilmes, Mereen-Johnson CEO. "With this expansion we will be able to meet the growing demand for our machines now and into the future."

In the last five years, Mereen-Johnson says it has seen a doubling of sales in both new machines and in parts sales for existing machines. It has also doubled the number of employees at the Webster facility.

"This plant expansion, and accompanying modernization, will allow us to shorten our lead times, making us better positioned to meet the needs of our customers," stated Wilmes.

Mereen-Johnson, headquartered in Minneapolis since 1905, opened its "Western Division" in Webster, South Dakota in 1973. The Webster facility has grown over the years taking over more of Mereen-Johnson's manufacturing needs. In 2006, Mereen-Johnson closed its Minneapolis factory and consolidated all of its manufacturing in Webster.