VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — Gov. Jay Nixon was recently joined by leadership from CertainTeed Corp. at a groundbreaking ceremony for the company’s new, $100-million manufacturing and distribution center in Jonesburg, Mo. The project is expected to create 100 new jobs.
“Today’s ceremony is affirmation that Missouri’s manufacturing industry is alive and well,” Gov. Nixon said. “CertainTeed’s decision to build its new, state-of-the-art facility in Jonesburg is proof of our state’s highly skilled workforce, diverse resources and business-friendly environment. I’m proud to continue our partnership with CertainTeed as we work together to create jobs and keep Missouri’s economy moving forward.”
When complete, the Jonesburg complex, which includes a 60,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and 150,000-square-foot warehouse, will serve as the production and distribution site for residential roofing shingles.
Founded in 1904 in East St. Louis as the General Roofing Manufacturing Company, CertainTeed has grown into one of North America’s leading manufacturers of building products. In recent years, Missouri’s manufacturing sector has experienced resurgence, and its pro-business environment is luring the company back. With the sixth-lowest business energy costs, eighth-best corporate income tax index and more than 2.67 million workers, Missouri has become an increasingly attractive location to growing manufacturing companies.
“We’re excited to be coming home again,” said Tom Smith, president of CertainTeed Roofing. “The Jonesburg plant plays a strategic role in meeting the ongoing demand for CertainTeed roofing shingles, and when it came time to decide on where to expand, we looked no further than Missouri. With low taxes and a skilled workforce, the Show-Me State is a great place to do business, and our new facility here will deliver top-notch service to key customers. We are tremendously appreciative of the support we’ve received from Gov. Nixon, the Missouri Department of Economic Development, officials from Warren and Montgomery Counties and the city of Jonesburg in helping make this plant a reality.”
Missouri’s manufacturing industry has garnered national attention in recent months with major international companies choosing to expand their presence in the state. Earlier this month, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals announced a $2-million capital investment in its Hazelwood headquarters, creating 150 new jobs. Auto-manufacturing giants Ford and General Motors both pledged expansions of their Missouri facilities. Ford will add 1,100 workers to its Claycomo production lines, while General Motors will create 55 new jobs through a $133-million expansion of its Wentzville plant.
To assist CertainTeed Corp. in moving forward with its growth plans, the company has been offered a strategic economic incentive package from the state of Missouri that it can receive if it meets strict job-creation and investment criteria.
For more information, visit www.certainteed.com.
