Rite-Hite Global Headquarters

Corporate Construction Project

 

Rite-Hite Collaborates with C.D. Smith Construction to Build Visionary Global Headquarters

(Winter 2023) Rite-Hite, a world leader in manufacturing, sales and service of loading dock equipment, industrial doors, safety barriers and many more products, opened their global headquarters in 2023. The campus serves as the corporate office and features a robust customer experience center and industrial demonstration space, state-of-the-art training facilities for sales and technicians, and many employee amenities, designed to enhance the office experience.

Rite-Hite exterior facade picture from road upon construction completion by CD Smith CS0A7620_Final

Industrial Demonstration Spaces: A unique, close-to-real-life warehouse, with eight different styles of loading docks and a wide variety of Rite-Hite products for customers to see in action.

Rite-Hite loading dock industrial demonstration area after construction completion by CD Smith_Y6A1051_final

Modern Office Environment: “Our goal for the new campus is to provide a great work environment and a state-of-the-art customer experience to tell the Rite-Hite story. With C.D. Smith Construction, we have met and exceeded that goal and we look forward to a long and prosperous future as we grow and expand,” said Sara Everts, Director of Corporate Marketing and Communications, Rite-Hite.

Rite-Hite modern office interior with kitchen and cafe after construction project completed by CD Smith_Y6A0845_final

Training Space: A specially designed space for Rite-Hite to facilitate training (in person and virtual) for new sales staff and employees with a vision for more educational offerings in the future.

Rite-Hite interior training space after completion by CD Smith Construction_Y6A0903_Final

Facility Features:

  • Customer experience center
  • Training and Learning Spaces
  • Riverside location
  • Café and Coffee Bar
  • Outdoor spaces for work and gatherings
  • Beautiful fireplaces
  • Golf simulator and other activities available to employees
  • Fitness Center + locker rooms
  • 450-stall parking structure
  • Skywalk to connect the buildings

Rite-Hite loading dock industrial demonstration area after construction completion by CD Smith_Y6A1085_final

Sara Everts summed up the once-in-a-lifetime experience of building their vision into reality, saying, "Building the Rite-Hite Global Headquarters was years in the making and a momentous undertaking for the organization and owners. Partnering with C.D. Smith, we knew we were in capable hands, and we are eager to share the fruits of our labor with our entire Rite-Hite family, our customers and in the process, show off the fine construction work of our general contractor, C.D. Smith."

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Rite-Hite completes new global corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

(March 2023) Rite-Hite, a manufacturer of loading dock safety, security and productivity solutions, celebrated the grand opening of its new global headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Employees moved into the south building last June and the north building in March of 2023.

Drone photo of Rite-Hite Corporate Headquarters in Milwaukee Wisconsin - courtesy of Isaac Rowlett Photography

THE BIG PICTURE: The 9.5-acre campus accommodates 300+ employees, with room for future growth. A sky bridge connects the four-story north building to the two-story south building and a 450-stall, four-level parking structure.

SOUTH BUILDING: The south building is home to Rite-Hite's technical training center, engineering and light industrial operations for one of their divisions and the local branch of Arbon Equipment, a Rite-Hite Company.

The 119,000-square-foot south building has 900 solar panels on its roof and houses:

  • Sales and technical training space for customers and employees
  • A "live" loading dock demonstration area for customer visits
  • An employee exercise facility
  • Full locker rooms

NORTH BUILDING: The north building includes:

  • An 8,500 SF Customer Experience Center
  • Product demonstration areas
  • Customer education spaces
  • Full-service cafeteria
  • Outdoor patio

Additional features of the state-of-the-art headquarters include open office space, private offices, collaboration areas, research + development, a two-story fireplace and an array of various employee amenities.

Rite-Hite expects to bring hundreds of customer groups to the new campus.

“It has been an intense but fulfilling undertaking for all of us and we are so grateful for the expertise and strong partnership we have with our architect and general contractor,” said Sara Everts, Rite-Hite’s Director of Corporate Marketing and Communications. “The entire Rite-Hite organization has followed the project’s progression and we are thrilled to be working at this beautiful campus and to be part of the vibrant neighborhood and city.”

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Building the Future Home of Rite-Hite

The Walker's Point neighborhood in Milwaukee will soon be home to the new Rite-Hite global headquarters. As a world leader in manufacturing and selling loading dock equipment, industrial doors, safety barriers, HVLS fans and more, Rite-Hite has been in business for over 57 years. With 2,300 employees worldwide, the Milwaukee location will be home to corporate administration, sales training, research and development and the local branch of Arbon Equipment, a Rite-Hite company. The campus will have immediate room for more than 300 employees, with room for future growth.

Aerial Footage of C.D. Smith Construction building Rite-Hite Headquarters in Milwaukee, WI

“Our goal for the new campus is to provide a great work environment as well as a state-of-the-art customer experience where we can tell the Rite-Hite story,” says Sara Everts, Director of Corporate Marketing. Sara’s colleague, Ward Wojciehowski visits the jobsite frequently and says, “It’s really fulfilling and exciting to see the progress toward this goal as the C.D. Smith team leads the construction efforts.”

The state-of-the-art headquarters will feature two buildings connected by a skybridge. Nearly 270,000 square feet of space will include a "live" loading dock demonstration area, four stories of office space, a 450-stall parking structure, customer experience center, training facility, research and development, and employee amenities including a work café, outdoor patio and two-story fireplace.

C.D. Smith Construction Superintendent Nate Petersen headshot at Corporate Headquarters

 

“We recently completed the installation of solar panels as part of Rite-Hite’s green initiatives.”

 

Nate Petersen, Superintendent for C.D. Smith

The 900 solar panels being installed are rated at 430 watts each. The 387KW system is expected to generate about 500,000 annual kWh. This prevents 391 tons of CO2 emissions annually, which is the equivalent of:
» 820 barrels of oil consumed; or
» 65 homes electricity usage for one year; or
» 391,000 pounds of coal burned.

Aerial Footage of solar panels on roof as C.D. Smith Construction is building Rite-Hite's Headquarters in Milwaukee, WI

C.D. Smith Construction Project Manager Chad Kraus headshot at Corporate Headquarters

 

“More and more clients are looking to incorporate sustainable construction practices and reduce their carbon footprint, and our management team and skilled tradespeople have the experience to deliver on these requests.”

 

Chad Kraus, Project Manager for C.D. Smith

Click on the below link to learn more about the power of effective collaboration from a CASE STUDY: Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) at Rite-Hite. It illustrates the power of effective collaboration by gaining alignment on the goals and expectations of Rite-Hite’s ownership with the teams carrying out the work.


                   IN THE NEWS
At the '23 Real Awards on January 17th, Rite Hite was announced as one of two winners for Large Project of the Year.
 
WHY IT MATTERS: The CoreNet Chicago REAL Awards recognizes and celebrates some of the biggest stars in corporate real estate. 
 
HOW IT WORKS: Winners are selected from a deep list of talented nominees, both individuals and companies, who are selected for driving positive change and innovation in the corporate real estate field.
 
Nominees are chosen from submissions in four categories: Small Project of the Year (60,000 square feet or less), Large Project of the Year (60,0001 square feet or more), Corporate Real Estate (CRE) Executive of the Year and Young Leader of the Year. 
 
There were two winners declared for Large Project of the Year, Rite-Hite and Salesforce. 
 
Other competitive companies who made the cut as nominees in the Large Project category included Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois; Taft, Stettinius & Hollister, LLP; and Vizient. 
 
THE BOTTOM LINE: Congratulations are in order for all of the nominees for the work they are doing to elevate the industry, with special thanks to Rite-Hite for exemplifying the best of the best and giving us the honor of helping build your vision for the future in the company of an incredible project team.
 
Rite-Hite Project Team Recognized with Award |  EUA, C.D. Smith Construction, Inc., IBC Engineering Services, Pierce Engineers, The Sigma Group, Atmosphere Commercial Interiors
 
You can learn more about Rite-Hite's Global Headquarters from the PROJECT PROFILE page of our website.

Rite-Hite, CD Smith Construction & EUA project team photo shoot in Rite-Hite new global headquarters in Milwaukee, WI
 
Rite-Hite, C.D. Smith, EUA; (Left to right) Ward Wojciehowski, Distribution Development Manager, Rite-Hite; Micaela Bomhack, President + CEO, Rite-Hite; Sara Everts, Director of Corporate Communications, Rite-Hite; John Monefeldt Sr., Project Architect, EUA; Chad Kraus Sr., Project Manager, C.D. Smith Construction; Allison Pfeifer Sr., Interior Designer, EUA; Taylor Venuti, Project Engineer, C.D. Smith Construction; Photo by Linda Smallpage, Boutique Photographer
Rite-Hite and Ascent MKE projects built by CD Smith Construction showcase for Mayors Design Awards in Milwaukee Wisconsin
 

Mayor’s Design Awards applaud new buildings, restaurant, corridor and public space innovations | BizTimes 05.26.2023

Mayor’s Design Awards | City of Milwaukee 05.25.2023

See The 2023 Mayor’s Design Awards Winners | Urban Milwaukee 05.24.2023

Milwaukee Mayor's Design Awards honor Komatsu, Rite-Hite, R1VER | Milwaukee Business Journal 05.24.2023

26th annual Mayor’s Design Awards recipients announced | Milwaukee Record 05.24.2023


Rite-Hite, a global manufacturing leader, has been honored as one of The Daily Reporter's Top Projects of 2022. Led by C.D. Smith Construction, the completion of Rite-Hite's new corporate headquarters in Milwaukee is a testament to their commitment to innovation and growth.

The headquarters revitalized a once-abandoned site, boosting the local economy and improving the surrounding landscape. The facility offers cutting-edge amenities, including a secure parking garage, versatile training spaces, and scenic walking paths along the Menomonee River.

Sustainability took center stage, with 900 rooftop solar panels generating 500,000 kilowatt hours per year and offsetting over 391 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

With over 2,200 employees worldwide and 300 in the Milwaukee area, the headquarters serves as a talent development hub and world-class customer experience center.

Rite-Hite's headquarters project, spanning 270,000 square feet, exemplifies their dedication to sustainability, employee well-being, and community revitalization. This recognition affirms their position as an industry leader in Wisconsin's landscape.



Loading dock doors and slideshow photos from Rite-Hite Corporate headquarters in Milwaukee Wisconsin built by C.D. Smith Construction
Slideshow article photos of Rite-Hite Headquarters built by C.D. Smith Construction in Milwaukee, WI

2023 Real Estate Awards | Milwaukee Business Journal 04.17.2023
 
The Daily Reporter Top Projects of 2022 | The Daily Reporter 04.2023
 
Rite-Hite Completes Move to City | Urban Milwaukee 03.12.2023
View of new construction corporate global headquarters Rite-Hite from street in Milwaukee

 

 
Drone photo of Rite-Hite Corporate Headquarters in Milwaukee Wisconsin - courtesy of Isaac Rowlett Photography

By Ashley Smart - Mar 10,2023 11:42 am

Almost eight months after employees began moving into Rite-Hite’s new corporate headquarters in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood, the final portion of the campus — the north building — is...(link to the full BizTimes PRESS RELEASE).


 
 
Rite-Hite Will Open New HQ In City | Urban Milwaukee 07.19.2022
 
Rite-Hite readies Milwaukee campus for workers and visitors from around U.S. | Milwaukee Business Journal 07.13.2022
Virtual Design and Construction Case Study: Rite-Hite | BENEATH THE HARD HAT® Magazine - Spring 2022

BIM Model of Rite-Hite Corporate Global Headquarters for construction in Milwaukee, WI«•»

 

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125 Camelot Drive
Fond du Lac, WI 54935

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8325 W. Tower Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53223

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316 West Washington Avenue
Suite 900 
Madison, WI 53703

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Suite 701 
La Crosse, WI 54601

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