Mann Lake, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of beekeeping supplies is expanding to the Brainerd Lakes Area. Headquartered in Hackensack, Minnesota Mann Lake will introduce a manufacturing operations based inside the Brainerd Industrial Center.

Since starting the company in a garage in 1984, Mann Lake has continuously expanded their beekeeping company operation.

And since the re-purposed space of the Brainerd Industrial Center now leasing to companies for manufacturing, it’s a win win situation for both.

Mann Lake currently employs more than 450 workers and they plan to hire five full-time to run the BIC operation initially, hoping to add another 20 workers by the end of 2016.

The BIC operation will focus on the cutting and milling of lumber to be shipped to Hackensack for manufacturing.

By — Chelsie Brown

News/Sports Reporter in Brainerd