Wisconsin Sausage Maker Completes $35M Expansion

Salm Partners says it is the nation’s largest co-manufacturer of sausages and hot dogs.

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DENMARK, Wis. — The nation’s largest co-manufacturer of sausage and hot dog products has completed a $35 million expansion in Denmark with support from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

WEDC Deputy Secretary and COO Sam Rikkers announced that Salm Partners is eligible for up to $950,000 in state tax credits over the next three years during a tour of the newly expanded Salm Partners factory Tuesday.

“In a state known for its great sausage-making tradition, you’d be forgiven if you didn’t immediately recognize the Salm name,” said Missy Hughes, WEDC secretary and CEO. “That’s because Salm doesn’t have its own brand and instead provides quality products to be sold under its customers’ brands. But Salm is quietly and rapidly becoming a big deal in the meat industry producing 15% of the country’s cooked sausage products.”

The actual amount of tax credits Salm receives will depend on the number of jobs created. The project is expected to create 193 jobs over the next three years.

The expanded factory, Salm Partners’ second in Denmark, was built with roughly 65,000 square feet in 2019 and has now grown to about 170,000. Two new production lines will aid Salm in meeting customer demand.

“This helps us continue to let our customers grow in the marketplace,” said Keith Lindsey, president and CEO of Salm Partners, LLC. “We’re making the same products we’ve always made, we’re just able to continue supporting the growth of our customers.”

In addition to the 193 jobs expected to be created by Salm Partners, an economic modeling study estimates the project could indirectly generate 335 additional jobs in the region. Those 528 new jobs are expected to generate $1,003,012 in state income tax revenue over a five-year period.

Brothers Joe, Pete, Mark and Chris Salm founded Salm Partners in 2004. The initial, 25,000 square foot facility in Denmark has since grown to about 200,000 square feet — this latest expansion is to the newer, 2019 facility at 625 Hager Road.

Salm’s cook-in-package method ensures efficiency, quality and industry-leading food safety, as the process eliminates microbiological risks.

“What we’re ecstatic about in Denmark and northeastern Wisconsin is we’ve got a great workforce, and we’ve got a lot of local contractors and tradespeople to work with on our additions,” Lindsey said. “We’re very confident in our ability to expand and grow here in northeastern Wisconsin.”

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