Copeland Celebrates Unveiling of its Vilter Facility Following Major Renovation

Cudahy, WI (April 24, 2025) – Copeland, a global provider of sustainable climate solutions, is proud to announce the completion of a significant renovation of its Vilter brand’s Cudahy operation. Vilter industrial compression solutions play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable practices by supporting the transition to low-GWP refrigerants and optimizing energy efficiency. The $14 million investment strengthens Copeland’s innovation and sustainability efforts, and enhances both global and local impact with expanded training facilities and new opportunities for local recruitment.

“This state-of-the-art facility is more than just a building; it’s a testament to our values of innovation and sustainability,” said Marian Zincke, vice president and general manager for Copeland’s industrial business. “With these renovations, we’re not only doubling our capacity to train customers, but also prioritizing the well-being and growth of our colleagues.”

Grand Reopening Details

The company invites local dignitaries and journalists to join them for the grand opening event at Copeland’s Vilter facility.

Date and time:	Thursday, May 1st at 1:00 p.m. CST
Location:	5555 S. Packard Ave.
Schedule:	1:00 p.m.	Welcome and opening remarks
	1:20 p.m.	Ribbon-cutting ceremony
	1:30 p.m.	Facility tour
	1:50 p.m.	Q&A opportunity

Facility Enhancements

Located at 5555 S. Packard Ave., the updated 400,000-square-foot site now features 16,000 square feet of enhanced training areas and modernized spaces for collaboration. These updates aim to educate customers on evolving industry technologies and provide knowledge and training on Copeland’s lifecycle services solutions, equipping operators with expertise to optimize their system performance and accelerate sustainability goals. Vilter industrial compression solutions are used in application p.m. s like cold storage, industrial heat pumps, district heating and renewable natural gas.

The enhanced facility also included a new cafeteria, an upgraded gym and reimagined workspaces, showcasing the company’s dedication to prioritizing colleague health, well-being and productivity. The new cafeteria offers fresh, nutritious meal options to fuel the workday, while the upgraded gym provides resources for physical fitness and stress management. Updated collaboration spaces have been thoughtfully designed to encourage innovation and teamwork, reflecting Copeland’s focus on creating environments where colleagues can thrive.

Commitment to Cudahy

The Cudahy facility has been a fixture in the community since 1995, housing 120 manufacturing professionals and 180 operations team members, including more than 50 engineers. The facility has achieved a 50% increase in headcount since 2021 and, with its recent expansion, anticipates at least a 10% rise in headcount across both salaried and hourly positions over the course of 2025. This growth reflects increased opportunities for skilled professionals in operations, engineering, and project management, as well as essential manufacturing roles like welders, assemblers, and material handlers. Copeland’s investment in this site underscores its confidence in the skilled workforce of Southeastern Wisconsin.

“We chose to invest in Cudahy because of the incredible talent and dedication of our people, as well as the city’s proximity to major highways and airports that provides access to a vast and skilled workforce,” Zincke added. “This location allows us to build a thriving base of operations and logistics for our Vilter industrial business, while also serving as a magnet for the highly skilled talent critical to driving innovation and sustainable growth. With this renovation, we are fully committed to fostering an environment that supports excellence and ensures our workforce and customers are equipped to meet the challenges of both today and tomorrow.”

Driving Innovation in Sustainability

Copeland’s Vilter-branded industrial compression solutions are critical to Copeland’s broader mission to accelerate the energy transition. Its advanced compression technologies are critical in enabling customers to move to low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants and reduce energy consumption. Over 6,000 sites in North America rely on Vilter technology, backed by 88 patents, to maintain critical temperatures efficiently while driving down energy costs and meeting sustainability targets.

Learn more about Copeland’s Vilter-branded solutions at Copeland.com.

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About Copeland

Copeland is a global leader in sustainable heating, cooling, cold chain and industrial solutions. We help commercial, industrial, refrigeration and residential customers reduce their carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. We address issues like climate change, growing populations, electricity demands and complex global supply chains with innovations that advance the energy transition, accelerate the adoption of climate friendly low GWP (Global Warming Potential) and natural refrigerants, and safeguard the world's most critical goods through an efficient and sustainable cold chain. We have over 18,000 employees, with feet on the ground in more than 40 countries - a global presence that makes it possible to serve customers wherever they are in the world and meet challenges with scale and speed. Our industry-leading brands and diversified portfolio deliver innovation and technology proven in over 200 million installations worldwide. Together, we create sustainable solutions that improve lives and protect the planet today and for future generations. For more information, visit copeland.com.

 

Contact 

Jenna Petroff
Jenna.petroff@copeland.com