Ditch Witch expands from Carol Stream to West Chicago
Schramm Construction Corp. will break ground on the new Ditch Witch Midwest facility on July 25.
Earl Harbaugh, CEO of Ditch Witch Midwest, will be joined by Mark Harbaugh, president of Ditch Witch Midwest, Fred Schramm, president of Schramm Construction Corp. and West Chicago Mayor Ruben Pineda at the ceremony.
The new +40,000 square-foot-facility will be at 1555 Atlantic Drive in West Chicago. With the continued growth of Ditch Witch Midwest and Rentals Plus, along with the startup of 1st Choice Equipment, the companies have outgrown their current facility and yard space at 124 N. Schmale Road in Carol Stream.
"Although we hate to be leaving the village of Carol Stream, we are excited to be making our new home in the City of West Chicago. This new building and yard space will give us the opportunity to train and hold customer schools on proper equipment operation and safety," Harbaugh said.
The new facility will include two advanced training rooms and more than a ½ acre of outdoor space to educate clients on the proper use of equipment and the overall Ditch Witch Midwest safety goals. Other building amenities include a 3,000 square foot showroom, covered equipment storage, more than 14,000 square feet of service area and 12,000 square feet of warehouse space, in addition to private offices, conference rooms, and more.
The architect for the new facility is Eric Carlson of ECA Architects & Planners.
This is one of five other projects Schramm Construction is currently building. Others include the Fox Valley Shooting Range state-of-the-art indoor firearms facility in Elgin, an addition at FONA International in Geneva, Price Circuits headquarters remodel in Elgin and an addition at Christ Community Church in St. Charles.
Founded in the 1970s by Earl K. Harbaugh, Ditch Witch Midwest provides products for purchase or rent, as well as parts and service for underground construction. The company currently operates five facilities with locations in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
Located at 3520 Swenson Ave. in St. Charles, Schramm Construction was found in 1993 by Fred and Annette Schramm. The construction firm offers design build, general contracting, and construction management services throughout the greater Chicagoland area.