subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Wed, Dec 03 2008 

Published October 07, 2008 10:23 am - Workers at Modine Manufacturing in Joplin have something to celebrate.
Not only is the plant at 3300 W. Seventh St. observing its 30th anniversary, but it is being retooled with $25 million to accommodate a new product line.


Company invests $25 million in retooling Joplin plant



By Debby Woodin

dwoodin@joplinglobe.com

Workers at Modine Manufacturing in Joplin have something to celebrate.

Not only is the plant at 3300 W. Seventh St. observing its 30th anniversary, but it is being retooled with $25 million to accommodate a new product line.

The new product is called an exhaust gas recirculation cooler, and it reduces emissions in diesel engines, both for over-the-road trucks and farm equipment. The EGRs are sold to customers such as Ford, Cummins, John Deere, ITEC, Hyundai and Volvo.

“It’s not all automotive, and that’s one of the things we’re happy about, given what’s going on right now” in the decline of automotive sales, said Dennis McDermott, plant superintendent.

“This product line gives us a great future too,” said Gene Michael, controller.

Modine announced in February that its Joplin plant would be the focus of a major initiative for the Wisconsin-based company, and that it would mean $125 million in work annually beginning in 2009 and running through 2015.

Some of that $125 million is for work that the plant already does, Susan Fisher, director of investor relations, said at the time, but a “majority” is new business or represents increases on contracts with existing customers.

The cooling systems recirculate part of the exhaust from diesel engines, which not only helps to cool the engine but also allows the engine to burn the exhaust, resulting in lower nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions. The new products will help large-truck manufacturers meet Environmental Protection Agency standards for vehicle emissions beginning in 2010.

To make the new cooler, the plant is moving out its old product lines of heat exchangers and remodeling to set up the new line. Since the plant opened, it has been producing shell- and tube-type oil coolers largely for use in automobile engines.

Equipment and technology for manufacturing the company’s old product lines are being sold to other companies and moved out of the Joplin plant in phases to make room for the new work. Some of that equipment has been used since the plant started in Joplin in 1978, said Mike Maddox, materials control manager.

Actual construction work started within the past month. It will take about a year to complete the renovation work, and get the new line fully installed and running.

To do that, every piece of equipment in the plant will have to be moved while production continues. “It’s like completely gutting your house and living in it at the same time,” McDermott said.

Modine, an international company, is making a $25 million investment in the Joplin plant’s changeover.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story





monster
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
TV LIsitngs

Vote Today!

Get Our Free Pod Cast!



Click Here!

32 buy 1 get 1 free offers


Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!
Featured Jobs

NEW RESTAURANT OPENING, COCONUTS TROPICAL GRILL
Now accepting applications for all positions. Please apply in person between
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday
...>MORE

companions
to assist aging adults. Prefer older workers, but others considered. Hours 48 hour on and 48 hour off. CNA experience h...>MORE

ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC
ASE Certified Mechanic. Apply at Russell Tire and Auto, 1501 E. 4th, Joplin. ...>MORE

ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC
ASE Certified Mechanic. Pay up to $20.50 per hour. Apply at Russell Tire and Auto, 1501 E. 4th, Joplin. ...>MORE

MUSICIANS NEEDED
MUSICIANS NEEDED to play in a weekly variety show. Call 417-673-0501...>MORE

FULL TIME DENTAL ASSISTANT
Full time dental assistant to float between clinics in Carthage, Neosho, and Anderson. Experience preferred, but will tr...>MORE

NEW RESTAURANT OPENING
NEW RESTAURANT OPENING COCONUTS TROPICAL GRILL
Now accepting applications for all positions. Please apply in person
...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

NISSAN 2003 X-TERRA XE
NISSAN, 2003 X-Terra XE, V6, 4x4, 70,000 miles, leather, tilt, cruise, CD, tow package, excellent condition, $11,500. 41...>MORE

LEXUS 1998 ES300
LEXUS, 1998 ES300, 120,000 miles, tan, loaded, terrific car, all records since new, $7,950. Please call (417)793-1620....>MORE

FORD 2004 ESCAPE XLT
FORD, 2004 Escape XLT, V6, automatic, air, CD, more, 61,000 miles, $9,250. 417-781-2474....>MORE

DODGE 2006 DAKOTA QUAD CAB
DODGE, 2006 Dakota, quad cab, SLT, 8000 actual miles, automatic, loaded with options. $9100. (417)623-2011...>MORE

1993 CHEVROLET 2 TON TRUCK
1993 Chevrolet, 2 ton truck, steel flat bed, twin dump cylinders, 18’ bed, 5 speed/2 speed rear end, 454 Chevrolet gas, ...>MORE

BMW 2002 325I
BMW, 2002 325i, silver, black leather, good condition, 34 mpg, $8975
417-825-6118, 627-0242.
...>MORE

CHEVROLET 197 CAMARO
Chevrolet, 1997 Camaro, 30th Anniversary, V6, all power, highway miles, $4,000 or best offer. 417-437-0391....>MORE

CHEVROLET 1991 TRICKED OUT
Z28 Camaro, too much to list. $12,000. 359-5619....>MORE

FORD 1995 MERCURY MARQUIS
Ford, 1995 Mercury Marquis, new inspection/battery, $1250. (417)782-7977...>MORE

CHRYSLER 2004 PACIFICA
CHRYSLER, 2004 Pacifica, light blue, 65,000 miles, 3rd row seat, power seats/locks/windows, lift gate, sunroof, front/re...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

NICE 2BR
new central heat/air, newly decorated, gar with opener, $69,000. 330 S. McConnell. (417)623-4058, 850-5695....>MORE

2 BR CARTERVILLE
2 BR, Carterville, $395/$175. 417-673-0303, 850-6154....>MORE

TABLE ROCK LAKE, BY OWNER
Table Rock Lake, by owner, 4 BR cabin with appliances, including stack washer and dryer, 1/4 interest in boat dock with ...>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

YORKIE PUP
YORKIE PUP - FEMALE, Female Yorkie pup for sale, $400.
No papers. (417)717-0416, 417-673-1600.
...>MORE

TV STAND
made for wide screen TV, $75; (417)624-4549...>MORE

LEASE TO OWN
income potential + huge loft apartment. 417-396-1480....>MORE

CHRISTMAS PUPS!
CHRISTMAS PUPS! GREAT DANE, AKC registered, shots/wormed. (620)724-8041....>MORE

HOME OF $99 WASHER or DRYER.
We now accpet Visa / Mastercard.
923 Pennsylvania, Joplin. (417)624-2820
...>MORE

WILLIAMS CASINO SLOT MACHINE
Williams Casino Slot Machine. 2003, 9 line video, 5¢ INSTANT WINNER pays out 50,000 coins on maximum win pay line, bonus...>MORE

EXCELLENT WHEELCHAIR
excellent wheelchair, model Pacesetter and suitcase ramp, also includes Bruno lift. $1850. (417)525-4886....>MORE

BLOODHOUND PUPPIES
BLOODHOUND PUPPIES, APRI registered, 2 black and tan males and 1 female, 8 weeks old, no health problems and are good s...>MORE

BROYHILL FLORAL SOFA
Broyhill floral sofa, pastel colors, $250; glass top coffee table, 2 end tables, $150/set, maple dining table/4 padded c...>MORE

INSIDE GARAGE SALE
Wednesday-Saturday. 74”x36” picture, has ornate frame; fencing sabers with coat of arms and 2 other ones; small 7 drawer...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

 

 

Find A Home Find A Car