Gov. Jay Nixon, various local officials and even a foreign dignitary were on hand for the grand opening of the CertainTeed Manufacturing plant. Tuesday’s ribbon cutting brought completion to a …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
Attention subscribers
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous wesbite, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue
Need an account?
Print and web subscribers
If you're a print and web subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one.
Online-only subscribers
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Non-subscribers
Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Governor cuts ribbon at CertainTeed
Posted
By Jimmy Potts,
Record Managing Editor
Gov. Jay Nixon, various local officials and even a foreign dignitary were on hand for the grand opening of the CertainTeed Manufacturing plant.Tuesday’s ribbon cutting brought completion to a project involving county, state and local governments that now employs more than 80 people with plans to push that number to 100 in the near future.Check out the photo gallery here: http://bit.ly/1RZcr6oAfter cutting the ribbon at the plant, which began producing roof shingles earlier this year, Nixon said it felt like a bit of a swan song for him. He is wrapping up his second term as governor. The plant project represents Missouri’s continued efforts in foreign and domestic trade, he noted.“In 2009, 2010, when we put together a strategic plan, advanced manufacturing was central to what we wanted to do,” Nixon said. “Getting investment by a French company in the middle of Missouri is part of the two-way street that trade and investment needs to succeed. It is a great deal of pride for me, but much more important to me is that people see this project.As people drive up and down I-70, and they see this kind of investment by the largest construction products company in the world, more good things are going to happen right here.”As impressed as he was with the finished product, Nixon said he was equally impressed with the construction effort.“I have been by here a number of times. It is a point of pride because the workers here got it done on time and on budget,” Nixon said. “Having 300,000 hours and only one very small injury shows how hard our folks work, how safely they work and how productive the construction workers are here in the Show-Me State.”Plans to build the plant, the first phase of a planned $100 million complex, began in 2012 when Saint-Gobain, CertainTeed’s parent company, sought a location for a proposed manufacturing facility. As one of its first projects, the Greater Warren County Economic Development Council assisted in organizing officials with Warren and Montgomery counties, Jonesburg and those in Nixon’s administration due to the proposed location within two counties and one municipality.“These projects take a long time. I remember meeting in my office in 2012 with their (Saint-Gobain) senior team,” Nixon said. “At that point, they were looking at a number of locations around the country and we had to lay out what our vision was for how this project could get done on time and on budget. I knew the local communities could back up the time lines that were laid out.”Many local officials took to the podium to celebrate Tuesday’s ribbon cutting. One person who did not take the stage was GWCEDC Consultant Josh Beck. Although an unsung hero during the ceremony, local officials did not shy away from praising Beck after the festivities.“I have to give credit to Josh,” GWCEDC President Gary Carter said. “He worked with the commissioners of both counties and Mayor Bob Sellenriek. With Josh’s experience, he was connected in Jefferson City through the Missouri Partnership. It was everyone coming together and saying ‘we want to do this.’ ”Carter said Tuesday’s ribbon cutting felt like a bit of a victory lap for the GWCEDC.“This is fantastic. This was our first big project,” Carter said. “We started about five years ago. We had several small projects, but this was the first large one. We closed the chapter on the development stage and now we’re in the production stage.”Carter said the GWCEDC looks forward to working with CertainTeed in the future, as the plant was designed to expand its manufacturing capabilities. As for the future, Saint-Gobain President Pierre-Andre de Chalendar believes CertainTeed’s is bright.“This manufacturing plant symbolized growth for our employees,” de Chalendar said. “To learn new skills, to put down roots and buy new homes, to invest in schools and create a life here based on opportunity. The plant stimulates growth in local and state economies through investments, increased taxes and employment. To our customers and loyal contractors, we hope this facility will grow the longer it serves. Our roots run deep with you and you are our lifeline throughout the region.”
Saint-Gobain President Pierre-Andre de Chalendar speaks to a crowd of hundreds during a speech at Tuesday's CertainTeed grand opening in Jonesburg. Jana Todd photo.
