Imperial Manufacturing Group Will Consolidate Manufacturing and Distribution Operations and Create and Retain 94 Jobs in Alton
CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced $655,000 in Opportunity Returns support for Imperial Manufacturing Group, a Canadian-based manufacturer and distributor of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and building products, which will help the company expand and consolidate operations. The company currently hosts two Illinois sites, including a production facility in Hamel, which will be consolidated with its distribution facility at the Alton Center Business Park. This support will help the company create 42 new jobs, as well as retain its existing 52 Illinois employees. The investment package comes as a part of Opportunity Returns, the Governor’s comprehensive economic development strategy to continue creating more jobs and keep expanding the economy in the Southwest Illinois.
“By investing in companies that are investing in Illinois, we are helping them boost their competitiveness and increase their productivity. Imperial Manufacturing Group is a great example of a growing manufacturer who needed new resources to accommodate its expanding business and to continue reaching new customers. By targeting our support at the local level, and working together with our partners in Alton and Madison County, we’re building an extremely competitive business environment where companies, both large and small, can put even more people to work,” Gov. Blagojevich said.
Imperial Manufacturing Group (IMG) was founded in 1979 by CEO Normand Caissie and has corporate offices in New Brunswick, Canada. IMG produces more than 7,000 products for the heating, air conditioning, ventilation and building products industries. Imperial is seeking to increase its current U.S. capabilities as a result of a continued increase in U.S. sales. The company will extend the lease of the building it currently occupies in the Alton Center Business Park and consolidate its Illinois workforce and operations by equipping the Alton facility for manufacturing and distribution. Imperial also considered consolidating operations at a site in St. Louis.
“Based upon our areas of distribution in the United States, Alton is an ideal location to place this facility,” said Normand Caissie, President and CEO of Imperial Manufacturing Group. “The size of our new headquarters will help us to boost production and increase our efficiency. We are very pleased with the support we’ve received from the State of Illinois and the City of Alton, and the workforce experience we have had in the area.”
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is administering the business investment package. It includes Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) corporate income tax credits over the next ten years based on job creation and retention; Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP) job training funds that will include machinery, safety and performance related programs; and additional financial benefits, such as sales tax exemptions and tax credits for job creation and retention, resulting from the company’s location within an Enterprise Zone. The City of Alton, Madison County and the Alton Center Business Park were also instrumental partners behind Imperial’s expansion in Alton.
“Illinois is and will continue to be an extremely competitive place to do business, and we are thrilled to be working together with Imperial Manufacturing Group to help it grow and create more jobs right here in Alton. Gov. Blagojevich’s work on the frontlines is continuing to pay off with smart investments like these that are growing our local economy and creating more jobs in the region,” State Senator William Haine (D-Alton) said.
“Gov. Blagojevich and I are committed to retaining and creating good jobs for the people across Southwest Illinois. We’re very excited to have Imperial Manufacturing Group as a growing member of our community, which will help keep our economy moving forward,” State Representative Daniel Beiser (D-Alton) said.
“We are thrilled Imperial is expanding its presence in Alton, which will bring more good jobs and investment to the community. We join together with Gov. Blagojevich, Madison County and other local partners in celebrating this important win for our economy,” said Alton Mayor Donald E. Sandidge.
“Gov. Blagojevich and I believe that by being pro-active and listening and responding to the needs and priorities of the business community, we’re providing the resources and the support so companies can put more people to work and grow our economy. This investment package for Imperial Manufacturing Group is helping to enhance its future success in Illinois and across the globe, while creating more jobs across the region,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said
Since January 2004, Illinois has gained 173,600 jobs, which is best in the Midwest. Illinois led the nation in new job growth in January 2007 with 19,100 new jobs. In 2006, Illinois gained 71,000 new jobs, which is the best calendar year gain since 2000. Over the last 4 years, from January 2003 to December 2006, Illinois had the second largest unemployment rate drop in the nation. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security compiled these statistics.
Alton Center Business Park is a 150-acre, mixed-use development located at the foot of the Lewis and Clark Bridge at the intersection of Illinois Route 143 and Broadway. It was a 2001 Phoenix Award winner for Community Impact at the National Brownfield Conference. Imperial will occupy just over half of the 222,400-square-foot Alton Center II at the site, including 5,000 square feet of office, a 30,000-square-foot manufacturing area, and approximately 87,400 square feet of warehouse and distribution space. In March, American Water, the largest water services provider in North America, announced a 16,000-square-foot lease expansion at Alton Center Business Park, with the company now occupying slightly more than 65,000 square feet and employing 500 persons at the site.