Milwaukee Forge to Permanently Close After Failed Sale, 67 Workers to Be Laid Off
Milwaukee Forge, a historic Wisconsin manufacturer known for its custom steel forgings, will permanently shut down its facility at 1532 East Oklahoma Avenue later this year, resulting in the loss of 67 jobs.
According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) letter filed with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, the company will begin employee separations on or after August 18, 2025. All jobs at the facility—spanning both production and support roles—will be permanently eliminated. Health care benefits for employees will also terminate as of that date, and bumping rights will not apply.
The closure comes after a court-appointed effort to sell the company failed. Michael S. Polsky was appointed as receiver of Milwaukee Forge, LLC and MF Real Estate Holdings, LLC on March 25, 2025. Polsky, along with a financial consultant, sought to sell the company’s assets “as a going concern” under court supervision. Despite those efforts, no buyer emerged.
Milwaukee Forge has long held a reputation for its closed-die and hammer forging processes—specialized techniques used to produce durable, high-precision steel components for various industries. The company’s closure marks a significant loss for Milwaukee’s manufacturing sector and leaves uncertainty for dozens of skilled workers facing job loss in the months ahead.
Do you have thoughts or memories of Milwaukee Forge’s legacy? Share your perspective in the comments below.
