Canton, Ill. – Cook Polymer Technology, a raw materials manufacturer and part of Cook Group, will expand its operations by opening a new plant in Canton, Ill., company officials announced at a ground-breaking ceremony today. This project, with costs estimated at $15 million, will aid economic development and job growth in the area, and comes on the heels of the opening of Cook Canton, a Cook-owned medical device manufacturing company, late last year.
The new plant, called Cook Polymer Technology – Canton, when fully operational will employ approximately 30 people. Cook will officially break ground the last week of May with full production functionality in about two years. However, hiring is planned for key positions as early as this summer.
“Cook is excited about building this new plant in the city of Canton,” said David Lessard, vice president and general manager of Cook Polymer Technology. “We will continue Cook’s commitment of creating jobs and economic development in the area, and are grateful to the state of Illinois, Mayor Meade, and the economic development team in Canton for their support and cooperation in these projects.”
Cook Polymer Technology – Canton will be a specialized manufacturing facility producing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tubing, which is widely used by Cook Medical’s business units.
The new plant will be located near the existing Cook Canton plant on a site previously used for an International Harvester plant. The late founder of Cook Group, Bill Cook, made a special priority of preserving the International Harvester’s work whistle, which will be restored and placed in a specially designed tower to allow the whistle to be blown once again.
About Cook Medical
Founded in 1963, Cook Medical pioneered many of the medical devices now commonly used to perform minimally invasive medical procedures throughout the body. Today, the company integrates medical devices, drugs and biologic grafts to enhance patient safety and improve clinical outcomes. Since its inception, Cook has operated as a family-held private corporation. For more information, visit www.cookmedical.com. Follow Cook Medical on Twitter @cookmedicalpr.