Governor Quinn Announces Coyote Logistics to Expand in Illinois, Create 500 New Jobs

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Chicago-based transportation and logistics provider Coyote Logistics has chosen to expand its headquarters in Illinois, adding 500 full-time jobs at its Logan Square facility. The announcement follows news from last week that Illinois was second in the nation and led the Midwest for job growth in September. Today's event is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"Illinois' comeback continues, and we are proud to be home to one of the most innovative and fastest growing logistics companies in America," Governor Quinn said. "As we lead the Midwest in job growth, Coyote Logistics is adding to our momentum, creating jobs and driving our economy further forward."

Coyote Logistics is adding sales, operations, and other IT-related jobs, while continuing to build out its office space investing $4 million in capital improvements. Coyote uses technology to make over-the-road shipping more efficient for shippers, haulers and receivers. The eight-year-old company reported 2013 revenue of $1.04 billion, a 30 percent increase in revenue from 2012.

"One of the most significant advantages to Coyote being headquartered in Chicago is it has made it incredibly easy to hire from a pool of highly-skilled workers," Coyote Logistics CEO Jeff Silver said. "We hire employees from across North America who want to live and work in Illinois. We are excited to expand in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago - it's a great place to live and do business."

Coyote Logistics is receiving a $2.5 million state investment, administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to purchase equipment and continue to build out its office space at 2545 W. Diversey Ave. in Chicago. The company currently employs nearly 2,000 full-time employees nationwide, including 1,000 people at its Chicago headquarters.

"Coyote Logistics is one of many successful companies choosing to expand its headquarters in Illinois," DCEO Director Adam Pollet said. "Coyote's commitment to Illinois will provide hundreds of quality jobs and is further proof of Illinois' comeback."

In 2013, Coyote hired 408 new employees, including 175 in Chicago, and the company is on track to repeat that level of growth in 2014. Coyote expects to hire 500 additional workers within the next three years.

The company's expansion comes as Illinois' economic comeback is gaining momentum, especially in business aligned with shipping. Federal data shows that since early 2009, when the Great Recession was in full force, the number of Illinois businesses devoted to transportation and warehousing has grown by more than 26 percent, to a current total of 16,499.

Illinois' access to water, road, rail and air transportation along with a central location as a hub of the Midwest provides manufacturers quick access to all of North America. Governor Quinn has supported business growth in Illinois with a $31 billion public works program, one of the largest capital construction commitments in the nation, to ensure efficiency across Illinois' 21st century transportation systems and ease of travel and shipping for businesses.

Illinois led the Midwest and was second in the nation in job growth in the month of September, according to a report released last week by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Illinois' unemployment rate fell to 6.6 percent last month, the seventh straight monthly decline. The unemployment drop from 9.1 percent a year ago is the largest decline in the nation.

Coyote was founded in 2006 and is one of the most innovative, fastest-growing third-party logistics service providers in North America. The company offers services for all consultative, executional and transactional supply chain needs. Coyote arranges transportation for more than 6,000 loads per day for shippers of all sizes and industries, from Fortune 100 companies to small businesses.

To apply for a job with Coyote Logistics, please visit coyote.com/careers. For more information on doing business in Illinois, visit www.illinois.gov/dceo.