New building will house all Stevens Point-based claims staff
Stevens Point, WI—Sentry Insurance will construct a new office building in Stevens Point, adjacent to its national headquarters. The new state-of-the-art complex will provide space for all of Sentry’s Stevens Point-based claims staff to work out of one location. Approximately 500 claims associates are located in offices throughout Stevens Point, including the historic Sentry-owned Strongs Avenue building.
“We have outgrown the space in our Strongs location for our claims staff,” said Pete McPartland, Sentry’s chairman of the board, president, and CEO. “This project will alleviate those space needs, bringing together all of our local claims staff at one modern, technologically-advanced claims complex. It also sets up the Strongs building to be repurposed to continue to play a major role for Sentry and the downtown community.”
Pending city approval, the new building will be located on the southwest corner of Division Street and North Point Drive. Sentry purchased the land in 2011, with an eye toward future growth and new office space. Site preparation work is scheduled to begin in 2016, with groundbreaking set for summer 2017. J.H. Findorff & Son, Inc., of Madison, has been selected as the construction manager.
The expansion reaffirms to Stevens Point and central Wisconsin Sentry’s commitment to this area, and the company’s forward-looking business plan. “We are growing, through mergers and acquisitions and through organic growth,” said McPartland. “We remain committed to Stevens Point. Our 100-year plus history here, teamed with our hard-working and knowledgeable associates, means we believe in the future of this community.”
“This project is a win-win for Sentry and the greater Stevens Point community,” said McPartland. “The new building will put an empty lot—which serves as an entrance to the city—to good use.”
Sentry has a long history in Stevens Point. Hardware Dealers Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Wisconsin—Sentry’s original name—moved from Berlin, Wisconsin, to Stevens Point in 1912. Sentry has been a stalwart of Stevens Point and central Wisconsin ever since. More than 2,000 associates are employed by Sentry in the Stevens Point area.
Sentry plans to hire local and/or Wisconsin companies for the construction and renovation projects. As an ongoing project, Sentry will update the status as developments warrant.
For more information, please contact Randy Winter, Manager – Corporate Communications at 715 346-7104 or news@sentry.com.
About Sentry:
Sentry Insurance is one of the largest and most financially secure mutual insurance companies in the United States, holding an A+ (superior) rating from A.M. Best. Sentry and its subsidiaries sell property and casualty insurance, life insurance, annuities, and retirement programs for business and individuals throughout the country. Headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Sentry employs more than 4,000 associates in 41 states. See a complete list of underwriting companies.
