LDI CEO: "Glad to make Dickinson County our newest location"

Liberty Diversified International CEO announces 100 jobs in former Polaris plant

MINNEAPOLIS -- Mike Fiterman, Chairman and CEO of family-owned Liberty Diversified International (LDI), announced today that the company plans to purchase the former Polaris Industries manufacturing plant in Milford and will employ more than 100 people for furniture manufacturing operations.

“We have been searching throughout the Midwest for high-tech manufacturing space for our Safco Products Co. operations,” Fiterman said.

“Moving into the Milford facility became an excellent option for us because of the educated workforce, a plant with advanced technology capabilities, and the combined support of the Milford City Council and the Iowa Economic Development Authority Board,” he said.

“This combination of positive factors creates a win-win opportunity for the community and for LDI,” according to Fiterman.

“LDI is a well-respected company and Mike Fiterman’s strong leadership is sure to make LDI a great addition to the northern Iowa business community,” said Scott Wine, Polaris Chairman and CEO. “I am pleased that Polaris could play a role in helping bring LDI to Milford.”

Fiterman said that converting the roughly 370,000 square foot facility to office furniture and related products production will begin early in 2018, and hiring will commence as manufacturing begins. He pointed out that the plant already has a state-of-the-art paint line and doubles the company’s current furniture manufacturing space. Items to be manufactured include desks, seating, storage systems, work spaces, tables and drafting furniture.

“Safco currently imports many of its products, but we believe that we will be able to produce American-made products in Milford that will be competitive in the global market,” Fiterman said. “Our goal is to have one of the most modern and efficient office product manufacturing facilities in this country.”

Soon after acquiring Wisconsin-based Mayline Company in 2016, LDI and Safco began searching for updated manufacturing space.

“We are creating an improved pipeline from the manufacturing floor to our customers with this move,” said Fiterman.