UP
“We’re excited to soon begin serving Manner Polymers’ solar-powered plastics manufacturing facility in Mt. Vernon, Illinois!” UP reported via social media on Oct. 6. “Together, we’re focused on delivering innovative solutions for our customers.”
McKinney, Tex.-based Manner Polymers is a manufacturer specializing in PVC compounds that serve a range of markets, including automotive, appliance, construction, telecommunications, industrial, medical, and agriculture. It invested $54 million in the new 80,000-square-foot plant in Southern Illinois.
“The facility is powered entirely by a 15-acre on-site solar field, one of the first of its kind in the region,” Manner Polylmers reported Oct. 6. “Once operational in fall 2025, it’s expected to increase production capacity by 100 million pounds, making a significant impact on the PVC sector while reducing environmental footprint.”
“This solar-powered facility allows us to produce high-quality products while minimizing our environmental impact—a win for our customers, our employees, and our planet,” Manner Polymers CEO Raj Bhargava said.
As part of an incentive package, the State of Illinois provided $2.5 million in infrastructure for a new rail spur, which provides direct access to Southern Illinois’ rail network, as well as the ability to easily move goods across the country. The area is served by Evansville Western Railway, which connects with UP, BNSF, Norfolk Southern, and CSX (see map below).
Over the summer, Gov. J.B. Pritzker attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the plant.
BNSF
“We’re excited to welcome Arrow Transload to the BNSF Logistics Center North Houston at Cleveland, Texas!” the Class I railroad announced via social media on Oct. 6 (see map below). “Arrow received their first railcars, marking the official start of operations. With direct rail access and highway connectivity, they’re ready to help customers move more freight efficiently—connecting the Texas Triangle and beyond.”
The Cleveland, Tex., logistics center is one of six run by BNSF. Its centers are said to offer direct-rail service in multi-customer, multi-commodity business parks. “BNSF differs from private business parks by investing directly in the development of the facility to create sites in under-served, strategic, and primarily end-user markets,” according to the railroad. “When you choose to locate your facility at a BNSF Logistics Center, you’ll save nine months or more of development time with a fully-permitted, shovel-ready site with rail infrastructure-including mainline turnouts, industry common track and inner roads—already in place. These facilities are designed to serve both manifest mixed freight and unit train single commodity customers.”
