Effingham, Alliance Land Manufacturing Operation, Could Mean 300 Jobs

Flex-N-Gate, a leading manufacturer and supplier of large stamped metal and welded components, assemblies, precision-molded, painted, and plated plastic components, has announced they will establish a location in Effingham. The operation will initially create up to 50 jobs in the first year, with a goal of 300 jobs in the future.

Flex-N-Gate is headquartered in Champaign. They are ranked by Automotive News as the 7th-largest original equipment supplier in North America and the 31st-largest supplier in the world. Flex-N-Gate employs more than 23,000 people at 79 manufacturing facilities and nine product development and engineering facilities throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, China, France, Germany, and Spain.

Flex-N-Gate is purchasing the 659,280 square foot Crossroads Center building that formerly housed Pinnacle Foods. The building was constructed for Crossroads Press some 50 years ago. The firm plans to do an extensive remodel of the facility.

City Administrator Steve Miller said, "Given the City of Effingham's transportation history, it is fitting an established auto manufacturing company such as Flex-N-Gate will take its place in this facility. We are excited that they will have a presence in Effingham's prosperous future."

The City of Effingham worked with Flex-N-Gate on developing a location package. Part of the package includes a unique partnership between the City, the Effingham Regional Growth Alliance, and Effingham Crossroads Center. This incentive includes contributions of $100,000 each toward employee relocation expenses to Effingham County. "Opportunities for a project like Flex-N-Gate do not come around very often, " stated Effingham Economic Development Director Todd Hull. "Effingham is very fortunate to have been chosen as the location for this new facility. We look forward to a great partnership and a continuous great relationship."

"Flex-N-Gate continues to experience significant organic growth and we are delighted to announce our new manufacturing operation that will be located in the City of Effingham," stated Bill Beistline, Executive Vice President of Metals Manufacturing and Procurement. "The City of Effingham and the Effingham Regional Growth Alliance are the governmental agencies that shared our vision for what and how we could turn an existing facility into an automotive manufacturing plant that will bring jobs to this region. These two entities, along with Effingham Crossroads Center, brought an enormous amount of expertise and assistance in our diligence and decision-making process and we are truly grateful for their efforts. Flex-N-Gate will immediately begin the reconstruction of the facility in our efforts to manufacture world-class automotive components in Effingham."

Effingham Mayor Mike Schutzbach said, "The City of Effingham was excited to be considered during the site search for this manufacturing operation, and we were especially delighted when Flex-N-Gate announced Effingham as the project location. This project will put high-tech manufacturing back into the facility. We welcome Flex-N-Gate to our community and wish the automotive manufacturer continued success in its new Effingham location."

Curt Ronto is Corporate Facilities Engineer for Flex-N-Gate and will oversee making the facility ready for manufacturing. Our Greg Sapp spoke with Ronto following Tuesday night's meeting...