CHARLESTON - The vacant TruServ distribution center was purchased Friday by a company with Casey connections. Consolidated Technology, a sister company of Casey Tool and Machine, will be located in the TruServ building on Charleston's north side. Jim Yates of Charleston is the founder and owner of Consolidated Technology and also operates Casey Tool Works. He has been in business since 1973. Yates said purchase of the building will allow the company to expand its research and development, technology, manufacturing, training and distribution capabilities throughout the United States and international markets.

The building was purchased for $2.9 million. A news release stated that Charleston is a strong base for the firm's expanded operations, with a good labor pool and access to higher education resources through Eastern Illinois University. "Our research unit has been working on quite a few things and it's time to improve them," Yates said Friday night. "We're growing a business there. We have processes to put in. Equipment is on the way." Yates declined to say how many people he expects to employ nor the kind of technology the company will offer. "It's going to be a diverse group of manufacturing operations," he said. "We're going to take it slow and grow strong." Yates said the Charleston plant will not affect the Casey operation. "It's a different company with different products," he said. Yates said the TruServ building is an excellent facility but will require some modification before the company begins operations.

Yates credited Jeanne Gustafson of Coles Together and Charleston Mayor Dan Cougill with influencing him to locate the plant in the TruServ facility. "This has been in the works for several years and we have looked all over," Yates said of the new company. "Jeanne really did a good job of keeping us interested. We had over 150 inquiries for us to move our business to another location. Strategically, this a is a good location for us." Yates also said Cougill worked well with him in completing the purchase.

Cougill gave much of the credit to Coles Together. "I am especially pleased that Coles Together took the lead immediately upon learning about the TruServ closing," Cougill said. "We are very fortunate not to have an empty building, thanks to Coles Together." TruServ was created in 1996 by the merger of ServiStar and Coast to Coast Stores Inc. After the merger, TruServ closed some of its distribution centers. More than 100 workers lost their jobs when the Charleston TruServ distribution center closed its doors Feb. 20. "This is a great opportunity to recover the jobs we lost when TruServ closed," Cougill said. "We are very happy to welcome (Consolidated Technology) to Charleston and look forward to a very long and successful relationship."

Jeanne Gustafson, executive director of Coles Together, said representatives from Consolidated Technology had toured the TruServ building before it closed. Gustafson said she had also toured Casey Tool and Machine but had signed a waiver that prevented her from discussing the specifics of the manufacturing operation. Gustafson, however, did say that Casey Tool and Machine was the most impressive factory she had toured during her career. "After having the opportunity to tour one of the company's facilities, (Coles Together was) very excited to be able to bring such a state-of-the-art operation to Coles County," Gustafson said. Gustafson said representatives from Consolidated Technology attended the career day in January at TruServ and had shown interest in hiring former TruServ workers.

The news release from Consolidated Technology said staffing requirements will be targeted to specific technologies as well as developing qualified trainees in selected technical areas. The news release said those interested in applying should send a letter of interest, including background, experience and education, to Consolidated Human Resources, 815 Reasor Road, Charleston 61920.

Former TruServ Facility Sign.
The TruServ facility will be modified for its new tenant.
Photo by Kevin Kilhoffer

Used with permission from Mid-Illinois Newspapers
Publishers of the Mattoon Journal Gazette and the Charleston Times-Courier

Former TruServ Distribution Center
260,000 square foot distribution center formerly occupied by TruServ.
Photo by Brian Murphy

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Coles Together
400 Airport Road
Mattoon, Illinois 61938
(217) 258-5627 FAX (217) 235-9492