Rehlko to close Saukville plant, layoff employees

Sixty-six employees will be laid off or transferred to another location by the end of the year from the Rehlko plant in Saukville’s business park. 

The plant used to be known as one of Kohler Energy’s locations, but the company was rebranded to Rehlko last fall and operates as an independent business.

The company filed its plant closing notice with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development early this month.

In a statement to Ozaukee Press, the company wrote, “Rehlko has made the decision to close the Saukville facility by year-end due to a strategic realignment of operations aimed at best serving our customers and business long-term. We are committed to supporting our impacted employees through this transition, including potential transfers.”

Plans for future use of the building haven’t been decided, the company said.

The first wave of layoffs is scheduled to be within 14 days of Aug. 8. The second is within 14 days of Sept. 5 and the third within 14 days of Dec. 31.

Nearly half of the positions affected are operators, according to the document filed with the state. Seventeen welders, four maintenance technicians and four material handlers are also included. Other positions affected are filled by one or two people.

The employees are not represented by a union.

The plant manufactures commercial-grade home backup generators.

Rehlko has multiple brands operating in more than 100 cities across North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

In addition to home energy, the 100-year-old company designs, builds and maintains diesel, gas, marine and alternative fuel engines, power plants, electric and hybrid vehicle equipment for multiple industries and transportation, and diesel generators that power data centers.

Rehlko President and CEO Brian Melka was named to the position after serving as group president for Kohler Co. Power since 2020. He held several roles at Kohler Engines since 2013. His 25-year career has included leadership roles with Rexnord and Textron.

Rehlko is one of three companies that have closed facilities in Saukville since 2023. In September of that year, Marcus Theaters shocked village officials by closing its theater on Foster Street, and in December 2024, Camping World closed its facility at the corner of Highway 33 and I-43 without explanation. Both of those facilities remain vacant.