Sturtevant, WI, September 9, Floortech, one of the area's largest flooring retailers, broke ground Wednesday on a new showroom and warehouse in Renaissance Business Park, according to the Racine Journal Times.
Floortech, now in Elmwood Plaza, will construct a $2 million-plus building at the northeast corner of Highway 20 and Renaissance Boulevard.
"We're definitely one of the largest flooring retailers in southeastern Wisconsin," said Floortech co-owner Jay Hawes, "and the new building will have the largest showroom and the largest selection."
Floortech sells and installs carpet, vinyl, hardwood, laminate, ceramic tile and marble flooring. It's about a $6 million a year business now, and Hawes - whose partner is his brother, David Hawes - said they expect to increase their volume by 10 percent to 20 percent with the new building.
It will include showroom, offices and warehouse, making for a much more efficient operation than they have now, Hawes said. "We're building so it works for Floortech, rather than leasing a space and trying to make it work."
"This has been in the planning stages for almost three years."
United Construction of Racine is the contractor. Floortech should be in the new building in December, Hawes said. The company will use about 16,000 square feet of the total 25,000 square feet and lease out the rest.
Floortech employs 36 people and also uses 13 subcontractors for installation work, Hawes said. "We have 20 to 25 crews out on the road a day."
The new building is just the first phase of the Floortech building plan, Hawes said. In the second phase they will construct a 22,000 to 25,000 square foot building and look for tenants who will be complementary businesses, like furniture, kitchen remodeling, drapery or lighting stores.
Floortech's departure will leave a large vacancy at Elmwood Plaza. Plaza manager Carrie Glenn said the company is talking with prospective replacement tenants and expects to sign one soon.
