Milwaukee Tool Research and Development Facility

Milwaukee Tool, founded in 1924, is renowned for its power tools for the construction industry. In 2017, the company renovated its corporate headquarters in Brookfield, WI. The subsequent need for additional operational space led to the development of Project Red Speed, a three-story, 114,500 square-foot building dedicated to research and development, office, and manufacturing functions. This new facility, situated across the street from Milwaukee Tool's headquarters on Lisbon Road, signifies the company's ongoing expansion.

The new facility supports Milwaukee Tool's growth and transition towards high-tech, engineering, and marketing positions, replacing hundreds of previously lost manufacturing jobs. It is designed to further the company’s advancements in cutting-edge tool design. GRAEF provided the structural engineering for the Research & Development building, incorporating specialized features like vibration-controlled floors to accommodate heavy testing equipment. This design minimizes vibration, ensuring that testing on all floors does not disrupt engineers working in other areas. Additionally, the facility's acoustical and vibration controls are essential for continuous testing of tools such as hammers and drills, which can operate for up to 300 hours, without disturbing other operations.

The building has been designed to complement the material palette of the previous phases of the Milwaukee Tool campus through the contemporary use of timeless materials like concrete, steel, and glass.