Governor Quinn Opens Railroad Spur to Mount Vernon's Continental Tire

MOUNT VERNON – Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by local and company officials to open a new railroad spur to Continental Tire in Mount Vernon, a state-funded infrastructure improvement that will strengthen the company's expansion and pave the way for 100 new jobs by 2015. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and build a 21st century infrastructure that will drive Illinois’ economy forward.

“Continental Tire is one of the largest single site downstate employers in Illinois with 3,000 employees already in Mount Vernon, and this improvement will allow them to add even more jobs to the local economy," Governor Quinn said. “We must continue to work every day to create job opportunities for the people of Southern Illinois.”

The new $1.1 million railroad spur, supported by the Illinois Department of Transportation, will help the company bring more resources in and ship out more finished goods to national and international markets. The recently completed Truck Access Route at Continental Tire has already helped improve the flow of products in and out of the facility.

“The new rail spur will allow Continental to reduce logistics costs,” Benny Harmse, Mount Vernon plant manager said. “This rail spur is a key component in supplying raw materials required to ensure continued growth at the Mount Vernon facility.”

Continental Tire is in the process of investing $129 million in its Mount Vernon facility to expand operations, and will add 100 new full-time jobs over the next three years, which was announced in January. The expansion is expected to be complete by mid-2015, and will increase production to more than three million truck tires a year.

“The Continental Railroad Spur Project is an example of the partnership and confidence established between the State of Illinois, the City of Mount Vernon and Continental Tire to support a project that aids in expansion, leading to the creation of new jobs for Mount Vernon, Jefferson County and the Southern Illinois region,” Mount Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley said.

Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (CTA) manufactures and distributes a complete premium line of passenger, light truck and commercial tires for original equipment and replacement markets. CTA is part of German-based Continental AG who is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires, and technical elastomers, Continental contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also an expert partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently has approximately 175,000 employees in 46 countries.