Public-Private Partnership Brings North America's First Supplier Manufacturing Campus to South Chicago
7 September 2000
Public-Private Partnership Brings North America's First Supplier Manufacturing Campus to South Chicago
CHICAGO, Sept. 7 Ford Motor Company today
unveiled plans to open the first automotive supplier manufacturing campus in
North America on a former brownfield site near Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant
on the Southeast Side. The project was made possible by extensive cooperation
from Mayor Richard Daley and Governor George Ryan.
This innovative project is projected to add 1,000 jobs in Chicago's South
Side, while reinforcing the viability of manufacturing at Ford's two Chicago-
area plants and Ford's commitment to its employees, including UAW represented
employees. Investment from Ford, its suppliers and its development partner,
CenterPoint Properties, will total more than $400 million during the next
several years.
Extensive roadway and infrastructure improvements in the area will be made
by the City and the State to improve the flow of heavy truck traffic and
increase the viability of future manufacturing development in the area.
By integrating logistics, inventories, supplier manufacturing operations
and sequencing of manufacturing schedules, the plant and supplier
manufacturing campus will be able to respond more quickly and efficiently to
changes in customer demands. "This project is an evolution in automotive
manufacturing and a way to address competing trends toward globalization and
demands for local flexibility to meet customer needs," said Jim Padilla, group
vice president, global manufacturing, Ford Motor Company. "This is an
important step in Ford's drive to boost customer and shareholder value."
Illinois Governor George H. Ryan praised Ford's vision to create a new
manufacturing campus on Chicago's South Side. "Ford Motor Company's decision
to expand their presence here is another example of how Illinois provides the
world's leading manufacturers with a competitive advantage in the global
marketplace," Ryan said. "Illinois has the skilled workers, advanced
transportation network and central location that give companies such as Ford
an edge over the competition in getting their products to market. I'm pleased
that my commitment to strengthening our infrastructure and workforce is paying
dividends in the form of new economic opportunities and jobs for the citizens
of our state."
"This project will benefit the people of Chicago in many ways," Mayor
Richard M. Daley said. "It will create jobs. It will generate additional
property tax revenue to ease the burden on homeowners. And it will take one
of the largest undeveloped pieces of land in the city, clean it up and make it
productive."
Development and management of the supplier manufacturing campus will be a
joint venture between Ford Motor Land Development Corporation and CenterPoint
Properties, Chicago's largest industrial property owner and developer. Work
on final agreements for the project is expected to be completed by year-end.
Groundbreaking for the initial phases of the multi-phase project is
expected within six months. Completion is scheduled for 2003.
This is the latest major manufacturing project that Daley and Ryan have
brought to Chicago's Far South Side, having partnered last year to bring Solo
Cup to a nearby former steel mill site on the lakefront. The City and State
also have teamed up recently to create a joint long-term plan for sustainable
growth in the Calumet Area for environmental, recreational, and industrial
uses.