Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley Visits CNH Burlington Plant

Jan. 18, 2008
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) visited the CNH manufacturing plant in Burlington, Iowa, where it makes loader/backhoes, tractor loaders and rough-terrain forklifts for the Case brand. In addition to participating in an employee assembly and plant tour, Sen. Grassley had the opportunity to operate a Case loader/backhoe, the flagship product of the plant.

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) visited the CNH manufacturing plant in Burlington, Iowa, where it makes loader/backhoes, tractor loaders and rough-terrain forklifts for the Case brand. In addition to participating in an employee assembly and plant tour, Sen. Grassley had the opportunity to operate a Case loader/backhoe, the flagship product of the plant.

Sen. Grassley also witnessed the manufacturing processes dedicated to fulfillment of Case Construction Equipment’s five-year contract with the U.S. Army to supply more than 500 backhoe loaders.

According to Robert Ciecko, Burlington plant manager, the plant recently completed insourcing of the Case tractor loader/backhoe chassis welding and loader arm welding operations. “The total investment exceeded $8.0 million, and 40 new welding jobs were created,” said Ciecko. “Insourcing was partially possible due to $600,000 in IDED funding and an ample supply of high-quality welders in the Burlington area, which traditionally has a strong manufacturing heritage.”

The 1-million-square-foot plant employs more than 430 full-time employees and approximately 100 contract employees and is a leading manufacturing operation in the area.