Shahid Khan, Flex-N-Gate, Reading Between The Lines?

[Ocklawaha]

THIS THREAD IS NOT ABOUT FOOTBALL!

Khan's company employs over 9,500 people, based in Illinois. Wonder if our new 'favorite immigrant-America' is thinking about a move south? This all has that strange crystal ball feeling that another shoe is about to drop... hopefully a golden one DOWNTOWN.

Flex-N-Gate revenues for 2011 are $2.57 billion up 14.4% with 9,500 empolyees. The employee numbers are actually in the 12,000-14,000 range if one includes the Canadian and subsidary operations.

Brown hopes he'll bring that business savvy to Jacksonville and create jobs here. It's something he says he plans to discuss with Mr. Khan.

"I would love to see him expand his manufacturing plant, maybe expanding making auto parts on the west side...Cecil Field," Brown continued.

Jerry Mallot with the Chamber of Commerce says the city will do whatever it can to convince Khan Jacksonville is a great place to do business. It's a strategy that's worked before.
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/content/jaguars/story/City-hopes-new-Jags-owner-brings-business-and-jobs/mj6xXrVz-kCAuBp2j5ecyQ.cspx

Flex-N-Gate Corp. was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in Urbana, Illinois. Flex-N-Gate operates manufacturing plants in Canada, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas. Owned by Shahid Khan, privately-held Flex-N-Gate manufactures metal and plastic automotive components and assemblies, such as bumpers, grilles, hinges, interior panels and pillars, latches, pedal systems, parking brakes, and running boards. Flex-N-Gate also offers prototyping, mechanical assembly, and sequencing services. Flex-N-Gate products have appeared in car platforms of companies such as BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, General Motors, Toyota, and Volvo
http://www.privco.com/private-company/flex-n-gate-corp.

Flex-N-Gate Forming Technologies, LLC manufactures bumper systems and injection-molded consoles for the auto industry. The company is based in Warren, Michigan. Flex-N-Gate Forming Technologies operates as a subsidiary of Flex-N-Gate Corporation.
http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=6518382

The Pakistani-American, who became a billionaire with a company that builds bumpers for import trucks, got his first big break in the 1980s when Jacksonville-based Southeast Toyota began buying his parts. Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, City Council President Stephen Jost, a host of dignitaries and dozens of Jaguars employees formally welcomed Khan at his first public appearance in Jacksonville
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45702168

Having relocated the headquarters of the mutual insurance holding company that now operates in 27 states, he can relate to corporate CEOs who are in the market for a move. He wouldn’t mind speaking with Khan about moving his Flex-N-Gate corporate headquarters from Urbana, Ill., to Northeast Florida.

“We would love to have him move his headquarters to Jacksonville,” said Van Berkel.

It probably will come up sooner or later. He said chamber leaders plan to meet with Khan, probably after he completes the Jaguars acquisition in January.

Flex-N-Gate aside, Van Berkel anticipates some big announcements during his year leading the business organization. “I hope so,” he said. “Let’s be plural. Big ones.”
http://www.myjaxchamber.com/news/ne_news_dtl.aspx?param=JgTXOwXtZZxolhJS7NOTEpnPIKSZG7E4ZwxExT%2FRmXY%3D

SAMPLE FACILITIES


INDIANA


SPAIN


MEXICO

FLEX-N-GATE CUSTOMERS:

NORTH AMERICAN
PLATFORMS


ACURA


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MDX
RDX


BMW


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X5 Series


BUICK 

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Allure
LaCrosse
LeSabre
Lucerne
Rainier
Rendezvous


CADILLAC

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CTS
STX
STS
SRX
DeVille
DTS
Escalade


CHEVROLET

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Impala
Malibu
Avalanche
Colorado
Corvette
Equinox
Express/G van
HHR
Silverado
Suburban
SSR
Tahoe
TrailBlazer


CHRYSLER

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300
Aspen
Pacifica
Town + Country
Sebring


DODGE

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Magnum
Charger
Nitro
Stratus
Viper
Caravan
Grand Caravan
Dakota
Durango
Ram


FORD

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Crown Victoria
Edge
Expedition
Five Hundred
GT
Mustang
E-series Wagon
E-series van
Escape
Explorer
F-Series
Freestar
Freestyle
Fusion
Ranger
Sport Trac


GMC

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Canyon
Jimmy
Envoy
Safari
Savana/G van
Seirra
Yukon
Yukon XL


HONDA


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Accord
Civic
CRV
Element
Odyssey
Pilot
Ridgeline


HUMMER

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H2
H3


INFINITI

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QX56


JEEP

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Grand Cherokee
Liberty
Commander
Wrangler


LEXUS

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GX 470
RX 330


LINCOLN

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Aviator
Continental
Zephyr
LS
Mark LT


MAZDA

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Tribute


MERCURY

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Mariner
Milan
Monterey
Mountaineer


MITSUBISHI

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Eclipse
Endeavor
Galant


NISSAN

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Armada
Altima
Frontier
Maxima
Pathfinder
Titan
Xterra


PONTIAC

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Bonneville
G6
Grand Prix
Pursuit
Torrent
Vibe


SAAB

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9-7X


SATURN


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Aura
Ion
Outlook
Vue


SUBARU

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Baja
Forester
Impreza
Legacy
Outback
Tribeca B9x


SUZUKI

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XL7


TOYOTA 

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Avalon
Camry
Corolla
4Runner
Highlander
Land Cruiser
FJ Cruiser
Matrix
RAV4
Sequoia
Sienna
Solara
Tacoma
Tundra


VW

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Jetta A4
Jetta /Bora A5
New Beetle
New Beetle Cabriolet


EUROPEAN + SOUTH AMERICAN PLATFORMS


AUDI


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A4
TT


BENTLEY

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Continental GT


BMW


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Series 1
Series 3
Series 5
Series 6
Series 7
X3
X5
Mini
Mini Cabrio


CHEVROLET 

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Avalanche
Swing
Joy
Manza


FORD

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C-Max
Cargo
Fiesta
Focus
Fusion
Mondeo
Galaxy
Ka
Transit


JAGUAR

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S-Type
XJ
XK
X-Type


LAMBORGHINI

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Gallardo
Gallardo Spider


LAND ROVER

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Discovery 3
Freelander
Range Rover


MAZDA

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121
2
6
Tribute


MERCEDES

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Sprinter
Viano
Vito


NISSAN

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Navara
Pathfinder
Tida
Sentra


OPEL

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Corsa
Signum
Vectra


PSA

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C3
206 Peugeot
307 Peugeot
Partner
Picasso


RENAULT

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Clio
Kangoo
Megane
Scenic
X-Terra


ROLLS ROYCE

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Phantom


SEAT

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Alhambra
Altea
Ibiza
León
Toledo


SKODA

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Superb


SMART

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A451
C451


VOLVO

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S40
V50


VW

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2000 Series Truck
Bettle
Bora
Bora A5
Buses
Cabrio
Caddy



 
 
           

[Tacachale]

As attached as Khan is to Illinois, I doubt he'd ever consider leaving. But perhaps our business friendly client would encourage him to set up some kind of operations in these parts.

[Dapperdan]

I doubt anything downtown, but if he builds a plant here, Cecil Commerce would be ideal.

[Wacca Pilatka]

I've seen at least two mentions that the mayor encouraged him to make his residence downtown.

[duvaldude08]

Funny you mention this, I told several people that Khan buying the Jags will benefit more than just the Jags. He believes in giving back to the community and he helps where ever needed. A man with this type of money, you never know what can happen. He is a good guy and great business man. To be honesy, I think duval has hit the jack pot.

[Wacca Pilatka]

Funny you mention this, I told several people that Khan buying the Jags will benefit more than just the Jags. He believes in giving back to the community and he helps where ever needed. A man with this type of money, you never know what can happen. He is a good guy and great business man. To be honesy, I think duval has hit the jack pot.

I think you're right, and I think Wayne took very seriously the task of finding the right man for the city.

[Dog Walker]

The Weavers are a class act and it looks like Shad Kahn and his wife will be too.  Thank you, Mr. Weaver.

[Ajax]

Isn't it funny that we're all hoping he'll move his business from Illinois, while many were fretting about the possiblity that he would be moving our team to LA?   And the loyalty that has caused him to keep his business there is the same loyalty that we're hoping he will extend to Jacksonville with the Jaguars?    I guess LA is to Jax as Jax is to Urbana? 

In spite of all that, I'm right there with you - from the first time I found out about his business background I've been hoping to see him move it here as well.  Bringing a lot of jobs here would certainly give him a larger pool of people to sell tickets to. 

[mtraininjax]

But perhaps our business friendly client would encourage him to set up some kind of operations in these parts.

You do not need to build a manufacturing plant to contribute to our great city. The Weavers restored John Gorrie and did not build one single Shoe Carnival manufacturing facility here. Our state is not manufacturing friendly for automobile items, compared to Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina, places where labor is cheaper than Florida, and legislatures are more prepared to give up incentives.

Not saying it can't happen, but manufacturing of auto parts is a long shot here.