Case IH to Expand Illinois Manufacturing Plant

By CnAgri2012-07-24 19:22:56 Print

Case IH has broke ground on an expansion of the company's Goodfield, Ill., plant, which manufactures industry-leading tillage and fertilizer application equipment. The 168,000-square-foot expansion project, which will begin immediately, will increase the size of the plant by approximately two-thirds.

"The new expansion will accommodate an all-new paint line and enable us to extend our leadership position in the marketplace," says Goodfield Plant Manager Brian Blankenship. "The commitment to this plant continues, and our employees have responded."Blankenship cites that employment at the plant has grown over the last four years, making it the largest employer in Woodford County. The facility in Goodfield currently employs approximately 650 and still has open positions in fabrication, welding, paint and assembly.

Blankenship says the new paint line will be a multistage auto deposition primer dip system with a powder topcoat. The system will be based on a power- and free-conveyer system and provide a needed capacity increase.

Senior Director for Case IH Specialty Business, Bill Preller, says these plant improvements will provide both enhanced product quality and value to customers.

"Simply put, it will provide a better-quality paint finish that's superior to the existing industry-standard Class III finish," Preller says. "Case IH customers will benefit from an even more rugged red paint finish that looks better rolling off the factory line, lasts throughout the life of the implement and improves resale value."

In addition, the new paint line will almost completely eliminate VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and the plant will recycle all water used in the process.