STEVENSVILLE, Md. — Sen. Dick Durbin last week visited vehicle lift manufacturer Stertil-Koni to tour a plant that is an example of a company that is creating jobs for the economy.
Durbin toured the plant in Streator, Ill. on May 4, along with Mayor Jimmy Lansford and local Chamber of Commerce staff. They were greeted by Dr. Jean DellAmore, president of Stertil-Koni USA, and Allan Pavlik, vice president of Stertil ALM. ALM and Stertil-Koni merged in July 2008, and creating new jobs has been a major initiative implemented by both companies.
Stertil-Koni’s facility in Streator is represented by Sen. Durbin, who is also the Senate Majority Whip. That plant recently expanded to include a new 14,000 square-foot wing that addresses increased production and offers a new sales training center.
“We were delighted that Sen. Durbin visited our facility and had the opportunity to see first-hand how our local Illinois business presence is contributing to two of the Senator’s key programs: ‘Investing in Illinois’ and ‘Jobs and Promoting Recovery,'” said DellAmore. “We also are pleased to share with the senator that Stertil-Koni is one of the few lift manufacturers in the United States that is bringing jobs into the U.S. economy and increasing its manufacturing and training capabilities.”
A Stertil-Koni spokesperson said Sen. Durbin commented that the company’s expansion “indeed is a compelling story, particularly when so many American companies have been outsourcing jobs overseas.”
“The lesson to be learned from Stertil-Koni is that it is possible to be a leading manufacturer right here in the United States of America,” added DellAmore. “The citizens of LaSalle County, Ill., certainly appreciate that fact and we certainly appreciated Sen. Durbin’s visit.”
