Ditch Witch Midwest and Schramm Construction Break Ground for New West Chicago Facility

Ditch Witch Midwest, along with Schramm Construction, broke ground for the future home of Ditch Witch Midwest in West Chicago, IL on July 25, 2018.

Earl Harbaugh, CEO Mark Harbaugh, President and Leanne Harbaugh, Human Resource Director of Ditch Witch Midwest, Fred Schramm, President of Schramm Construction Corporation, Eric Carlson, President of ECA Architects and Planners, Scott Harbaugh, President of Illinois Power Products and Gen Power, West Chicago Mayor Ruben Pineda, as well as Jim Bibby, President of Rempe-Sharpe attended the ceremony along with numerous Ditch Witch Midwest employees and business partners.

The ceremony opened in prayer by Larry Stratton of Christ Community Church and was catered by La Cocina de Maria, 142 W. Washington St, West Chicago. Speakers included Mark Harbaugh, Eric Carlson and Mayor Ruben Pineda.

The new +40,000 square foot facility will be located at 1555 Atlantic Drive in West Chicago. With the continued growth of Ditch Witch Midwest Rentals Plus and 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,” commented Mark Harbaugh.

Harbaugh also expressed excitement to be moving to West Chicago and beginning the new chapters in their company’s history. “We are looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the City of West Chicago and we are proud to be a new member of the community.”  His comments also included recognition of his team. “Most of all I would like to thank my team at Ditch Witch Midwest, and 1st Choice and Rentals Plus – without all of you we would not be where we are today,”he said.

Mayor Ruben Pineda thanked the Harbaugh’s for choosing West Chicago for their new facility and expressed his gratitude for the safety training that will be offered.

The new facility will include two advanced training rooms and over 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, over 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.