Tim Nugent, president and CEO of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County, describes CSL Behring as “our Amazon.”

“Certainly CSL will have more impact on our community than the location of the new Amazon headquarters will have in whatever that community will be,” he says.

CSL Behring now has a staggering 1,600 employees here, up 200 since February of 2017.

As you walk down one of the main corridors of the plant, there is a timeline. In 1901, Emil von Behring won the first Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology by inventing a serum to fight diphtheria. The multi-panel historical presentation shows photos and products throughout the succeeding years — with an entire empty panel for the life-saving medicines of the future.

Worldwide, CSL has more than 22,000 employees working in more than 60 countries.

Think spoke with Tricia Stewart, senior vice president and general manager, Kankakee Site, CSL Behring. The questions were asked by Phil Angelo, the answers provided by Stewart. Both are edited for length and continuity.

<strong>What is the future for the property formerly owned by Bunge? (It's now owned by CSL)</strong>

It will be used by more manufacturing. It has been wonderful to share that story with our employees and the community. This will be a facility that will be used to 2030 and beyond. It is something everyone can be proud of.

<strong>As the South Tower is completed, how will that add to the business?</strong>

The bottom four floors are already in operation. The top floors are in the process of being built out. The entire structure will be used as part of the base fractionation process (the dividing of blood plasma into various proteins).

(Inside of CSL, the tower has acquired the nickname of “Everest.”)

<strong>How many employees will be added?</strong>

I get asked that question a lot and it is a hard one to answer. We have 1,600 now.

<strong> </strong><strong>What are the critical skills you look for in new employees?</strong>

We hire employees in a wide range of disciplines. It’s not just one skill. We have employees with skills in automation, in robotics, in maintenance, in facility management, research and development and many other disciplines. Of course, work ethic and motivation is important in every area.

Many of our employees live within 10 miles of the facility, but we also have employees who commute from other areas to come to work.

<strong>How do you go about recruiting workers to come to Kankakee County? What do you see as the key positives here? Is there anything the community needs to add?</strong>

Recruiting is not that difficult because there has been significant improvement throughout the community. People see a lot of opportunity here. Riverside (Medical Center) does a great job of recruiting. The whole area is seeing an economic upturn.

<strong>CSL Behring is known for its products that save the lives of hemophiliacs. Explain the products that are formulated here.</strong>

• Alpha-1 Proteinase Inhibitor, which battles a hereditary lung disease caused by low levels of the protein alpha-1 antitrypsin. Alpha-1 is the most common genetic risk factor for COPD and predisposes patients to a higher risk of developing COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and asthma.

• Stable Intermediates are the starting materials, which are shipped worldwide by road, ocean and air transport to other CSL Behring plants for further manufacture into final finished products.

• Albumin, which is used to treat the loss of blood volume that can occur as a result of an accident, trauma, surgery or burns.

<strong>How is CSL involved in the community? What are the types of projects you want to support?</strong>

We have an active United Way committee and CSL has been the largest contributor for many years. We are proud of our charitable work.

We support our patient organizations, including the Bleeding Disorders Alliance of Illinois, the Alpha-1 Foundation, the Immune Deficiency Foundation and the Hereditary Angioedema Association.

I really appreciate the community spirit in the area and we support a lot of local events, including youth sports, robotics teams and veterans organizations. If there is a community walk, we usually form a team. We believe in our patients. On Sept. 15, we will be participating in the Unite for Bleeding Disorders Walk in Chicago.

<strong>How can area colleges help mold your future employees?</strong>

Both Kankakee Community College and Olivet Nazarene University are really high quality and they have been very receptive in working with us. They truly do a fantastic job.

We just finished up a summer intern program for 30 plus college students. We attend job fairs and participate in the Upward Bound job-shadowing program.

<strong>What important research is taking place to create the products of the future?</strong>

The Sub-Fractionation of CSL-112, which is being done in Kankakee. That is in phase three of a clinical study. The study is being overseen by former Kankakeean C. Michael Gibson. CSL112 would be used to help the body remove cholesterol. It could be a big factor in preventing second heart attacks. (An Aug. 4 story by Lee Provost explained the study, which will cost $1 billion and involve 20,000 patients in at least 50 countries. Gibson is a 1978 graduate of Eastridge High School, dating back to the time when Kankakee had two high schools.)

<strong>What is the most enjoyable part of your job?</strong>

That’s easy — working with the employees here. We have a dedicated and committed workforce.

<strong>There has been a lot of discussion about tariffs and trade wars. How will tariffs affect a worldwide company like CSL?</strong>

It is really difficult to say because it is a changing situation. We are keeping a watchful eye on it.

<strong>CSL is a business, but it is more than a business, too. How satisfying is it to make products that save people’s lives?</strong>

It is a motivator for me. We absolutely have to have safe and high quality products. We are absolutely patient-focused, working every day at saving lives. We are involved in the community, care for the environment and believe in the safety of all our employees.