HANOVER, Germany – Governor Bruce Rauner made it official today. HANNOVER MESSE, the world-renowned trade show brand synonymous with industrial innovation, key trends and business leads, is coming to Chicago this fall co-located with the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS).

The premiere of HANNOVER MESSE USA is expected to attract some 550 exhibitors and more than 100,000 visitors to Chicago for the September 10-15 show. The brand will occupy about 130,000 square feet of display space on two levels in the East Building of McCormick Place.

IMTS is already among the largest trade shows in the world, attracting more than 115,000 visitors from every level of industry and more than 120 countries. The addition of the HANNOVER MESSE brand adds to the show’s international standing among manufacturers looking to learn more about advances in equipment and technology.

“Having HANNOVER join forces with IMTS for this biennial event makes Chicago the go-to destination for manufacturers worldwide,” said Rauner at a press gathering in connection with the HANNOVER MESSE event taking place this week here. “We can count on the collaboration to enhance our reputation as a center for industrial technology. We will also benefit greatly from the economic impact of an enlarged convention visitor and exhibitor base for these shows.”

“HANNOVER MESSE is steadily adding to its acclaim in the U.S. market,” said Deutsche Messe Managing Board Chairman Dr. Jochen Köckler, “in part thanks to the country’s Partner Country showcase in 2016 – a momentous event attended by President Barack Obama. By launching HANNOVER MESSE on U.S. soil, we hope to attract even more exhibitors and visitors to Chicago while also generating positive spin-off effects for HANNOVER MESSE at its home base here in Germany.” 

“We are thrilled to welcome HANNOVER MESSE to McCormick Square for their first show in the United States,” said Lori T. Healey, CEO, Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA). “We’ve been honored to partner with Deutsche Messe since 2012 and are pleased to expand this fall with HANNOVER MESSE.”

In 2017, over 6,500 exhibitors presented more than 500 groundbreaking industry 4.0 solutions for manufacturing at HANNOVER MESSE in Germany. The show attracted more than 225,000 trade visitors, and is highly regarded as a place where owners and executives keep up to date on the latest trends in industrial digitization.

IMTS is owned and managed by AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology. To promote STEM studies and careers in advanced technology, IMTS features a Smartforce Student Summit where students can experience fun and interactive challenges like Computer Aided Design, 3D printing, robotic welding, water-jet assembly, CNC measurement and more. Last year more than 17,000 students, teachers and parents attended the summit.

Governor Rauner visits Continental Tire world headquarters in Germany

Rend Lake – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake is announcing an extension to the original closure schedule for the Rend Lake Main Dam roadway. Thursday morning temperatures plummeted into the 30 degree range, causing the asphalt plant to cease operation of material for the day.

Representatives of the Corps of Engineers, Lake Contracting and ET Simmons, determined that shutting down work on the repaving project until weather temperatures increased would be necessary to assure the quality of the product used on the job. Due to interruption of schedules for paving and striping Rend Lake Officials are predicting the roadway will re-open no later than the afternoon of April 27^th, 2018.

Updated information on this project will be posted on the Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center Facebook page.  For further information, contact the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center at 618-724-2493.

HAMBURG, Germany– Gov. Bruce Rauner and a delegation of Illinois business leaders today visited the Port of Hamburg facility of Archer Daniels Midland (ADM). ADM is a global food processing company that is based in Chicago and employs more than 32,000 worldwide. The company has recently announced new projects and investment in multiple locations across Illinois including Quincy, Metro Chicago, Mendota, and Effingham. 

“Over the last few years I’ve had the honor of seeing multiple ADM facilities in Illinois and each one was impressive. The company’s facility here at the Port of Hamburg is no different,” Rauner said. “ADM is a great example of the global strength Illinois companies have in the international marketplace. My administration will continue to work with companies across Illinois to aid their growth and keep them competitive world-wide.”

In the last two years, ADM has announced projects totaling more than $250 million in the state of Illinois, including the Mendota flour mill and new Animal Nutrition production facilities in Effingham and Quincy. The company also announced a partnership with DuPont Industrial Biosciences to produce furan dicarboxylic methyl ester (FDME) from fructose.

“ADM is a global company at its finest,” said Intersect Illinois CEO Mark Peterson. “We’re proud to say that this company is from Illinois. The company’s leadership continues to spur innovation, cultivate competition, and rapidly expand into international markets. ADM is one of the many companies that make Illinois an incredibly diverse economy and a destination for global investment.”

In Germany, ADM operates Europe’s largest oilseeds crushing and refinery complex, where rapeseed and soybeans are processed and refined for use in margarines and vegetable oils, bakery goods, frying applications, pharmaceutical glycerin and biodiesel fuel. In addition, ADM operates three manufacturing facilities for natural ingredients and compounds. 

“Global success of an Illinois company often equates domestic success,” said Illinois Department of Commerce Director Sean McCarthy. “ADM has set an example for what it means to grow and succeed within the European market, and as we see the company expand its international presence, it’s Illinois footprint continues to grow.”

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