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In January of 2005, Blagojevich announced almost $36 million in
Opportunity Returns support that allowed the company's Belvidere
plant to undergo a $419 million major retooling that is adding a
second shift and 1,000 new jobs to the regional economy. The state's
investment is part of the governor's program for the Northern
Stateline region in Opportunity Returns, his comprehensive,
proactive strategy for creating jobs and spurring economic growth
across the region and throughout the state.
"By investing more than $400 million to prepare the Belvidere
Assembly Plant for the 21st century and beyond, the Chrysler Group
is strongly demonstrating that the work force and the business
climate here in Illinois is a perfect combination," Blagojevich
said. "We will keep investing in companies that are investing in
Illinois, to continue creating more jobs and better opportunities
for our working families. This is an important partnership with a
first-class company whose automobiles are driven the world over, and
I am hopeful that the Caliber will be yet another successful
addition to the Chrysler family."
The Belvidere Assembly Plant is the first Chrysler Group
manufacturing plant to use a body shop comprised entirely of
robotics -- free of hard or vehicle-specific tooling. The 780 robots
in Belvidere's body shop can make necessary tool changes
automatically, within a 45-second cycle time, giving the plant the
flexibility to build the Dodge Caliber and three additional vehicles
with no negative impact on production. This new process will both
allow the company to vary production to better meet customers'
preferences and make the changeover to next-generation models simple
and cost-efficient.
"Governor Blagojevich has been a valuable partner to business and
labor in Illinois, and the Belvidere Assembly Plant is a great
example of that," said Tom LaSorda, president and chief executive
officer of the Chrysler Group. "Our investment has greatly increased
the Belvidere plant's flexibility, which is a key factor for success
in this fast-changing marketplace. This facility will be producing
vehicles that will be available in almost 100 markets around the
world."
In addition to the recent launch of the Dodge Caliber, the
Belvidere Assembly Plant will also launch a second shift this
spring, bringing total employment at the facility to about 2,650, as
well as launch the production of another new model, the all-new 2007
Jeep Compass.
In March of 2005, Blagojevich also announced approximately $6.5
million in Opportunity Returns support for three Chrysler Group
suppliers. This support is allowing the companies to retool their
facilities, train and expand their work forces, and increase their
competitiveness. The investments are helping to create more than 500
new jobs at Android Industries and Grupo Antolin in Belvidere and at
Johnson Controls, a Sycamore-based manufacturer.
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 Belvidere employees are using a new workplace model that is being
implemented throughout Chrysler Group's manufacturing organization.
In addition to extensive training, this new workplace model lets
employees design their own workstations. It also fosters greater
creativity and innovation on the plant floor. These changes provide
a better work environment for employees and give increased support
to assembly line team members.
Chrysler Group, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., is a unit
of DaimlerChrysler, the world's fifth- largest automaker. Its brands
include Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge and feature some of the most
recognizable vehicles, like the Dodge Viper, Jeep Liberty and
Chrysler PT Cruiser. For further information on DaimlerChrysler,
visit
www.daimlerchrysler.com.
"Due largely to its highly skilled work force, the Belvidere
Assembly Plant is one of the most efficient Chrysler plants in North
America," said Jack Lavin, director of the Department of Commerce
and Economic Opportunity. "When the company decided to expand, that
factor certainly tipped the scales in our favor. While that's a
great testament to the exceptional work ethic and great dedication
of the Belvidere workers, it's also a real sign that we are
investing in the assets that are the most desirable to business and
the most critical to fueling more widespread economic growth and
opportunity throughout this state."
About Opportunity Returns
Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns regional economic
development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive
approach to creating jobs in Illinois' history. Since a
one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn't
work, the governor has divided the state into 10 regions, each with
a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to
opportunities and challenges.
Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make
each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial
and more attractive to businesses. It is about upgrading the skills
of the local work force, increasing the access to capital, opening
new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining
jobs. Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with
companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of
Illinois reach its economic potential.
[News release]
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