JAX INC. is at the forefront of niche-based lubricants, including those used within food and beverage production environments. Ongoing innovation and exceptional product continue to drive demand for JAX’s quality products today. To maintain market leadership, JAX is making the investment to increase product development and production capabilities by replacing its Menomonee Falls facility.
Zimmerman provided complete architectural and engineering design services for the single story, double-height, 130,000 sq. ft. manufacturing building with 6,000 sq. ft. of internal mezzanines for research lab and production management functions. Through careful analysis of existing operations at JAX, the design team was able to address and improve key manufacturing process issues including an improved flow of raw materials arriving to the building to production, as well as packaging and shipping of finished products.
This project includes 92,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing, warehouse, and lab space along with 32,000 sq. ft. of office space. The warehouse facility was designed to accommodate future expansion. An additional two-story office building wraps a corner of the building and provides a primary entry for administrative staff, customers and guests. The entrance and lobby are defined by a two-story stone wall that creates separation between semi-public and semi-private office areas.
Offices are located near the new entryway on the southeast side of the building along with co-working spaces that can be utilized for product development brainstorming sessions. The state-of-the-art technology center allows for production innovation both internally and in collaboration with JAX’s customers. The production warehouse improves efficiency in workflow and increases production capacity exponentially.
Vertical and horizontal fins line the exterior of the office windows to provide shade and minimize sun glare. An added employee break room and outdoor-covered dining space overlooks the greenery, a nearby retention pond and a scenic, milelong walking trail to provide dedicated spaces of tranquility for staff.
