JOLIET, IL — Governor JB Pritzker issued a press release on Monday night revealing that Hyundai Translead will establish new trailer manufacturing facilities in Illinois, creating nearly 2,500 new full-time jobs in the state — specifically in Joliet.

The two facilities will be located on the former sites of Caterpillar’s heavy equipment operations and the previous Lion Electric operation site in Will County, according to the governor’s press release.

“Major investments like Hyundai Translead’s decision to expand its presence in Joliet, Illinois demonstrate the power of strong partnerships between industry, government, and education. Joliet Junior College is proud to work alongside the State of Illinois and Hyundai Translead to build the workforce that will power this next generation of advanced manufacturing,” said Joliet Junior College President Clyne Namuo. “We will expand capacity in critical fields such as welding, industrial maintenance, HVAC, and electrical systems. There are areas where employer demand continues to outpace available talent. By aligning industry needs with high-quality education and hands-on training, we are creating clear pathways for students into high-demand careers while supporting the continued growth of Illinois’ manufacturing economy.”

With Hyundai Translead’s $450 million investment and commitment to creating thousands of jobs in Will County, Illinois continues to establish itself as a global destination for advanced manufacturing companies who invest in Illinois communities, the governor’s office announced.

Monday’s announcement occurred in conjunction with American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition, the governor’s press release noted.

“This historic investment by Hyundai Translead will be transformational for the Will County economy. This production facility will generate local careers, inject significant capital investments into our local economy, and solidify our status as a national manufacturing hub and the fastest growing economy in Illinois. I appreciate their commitment to Will County and am grateful to everyone who helped make this dream a reality,” said Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant.

In November, Joliet Patch reported that signs were displayed throughout the gigantic industrial property, letting everyone know that Cushman & Wakefield is the real estate company handling the listing and prospective buyers should call Jason West.

"Set on 59.83 acres, the property features a vast parking field and expansive land, offering exceptional flexibility for future building or parking expansion. This rare scalability adds significant value for corporate users and tenants, as it supports business growth and changing needs without requiring relocation," the real estate listing on LoopNet reads.

Lion Electric was supposed to be one of Joliet’s greatest economic development success stories over the next decade. Lion proclaimed it would bring more than 1,400 manufacturing jobs to the region as workers mass produced 20,000 electric school buses annually. Then, in less than two years after opening, the Quebec-based company fell apart. The Joliet facility at 3835 Youngs Road near Route 6 in Channahon remained shuttered all of 2025.

Lion Electric said it planned to employ 324 workers during its first year of operation in Joliet. That total was supposed to climb to 372 employees in year two; 745 employees in year three and reach 1,418 employees in its fourth year of operation.

“We are proud to welcome Hyundai Translead to Illinois as a new manufacturer in our state. This investment represents a long-term commitment that will create 2,500 new jobs and opportunities for working families in Will County and beyond,” Governor JB Pritzker remarked in Monday night’s press release. “Illinois will keep attracting major industries and job creators that are transformational for our economy and the communities and hardworking Illinoisans who power them."

As part of a comprehensive incentive package, which includes an EDGE agreement with the State, Hyundai Translead has committed to investing $452.5 million and creating at least 2,475 new full-time jobs. A link to the full agreement can be found here. In 2025, companies in the EDGE program committed to more than $2.6 billion in investments in communities across Illinois, reinforcing the program’s role as a powerful driver of job creation and capital investment in communities statewide. In addition to state incentives, the company is also working with Will County taxing bodies to secure local incentives.

Hyundai Translead — a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company, a global automotive leader headquartered in South Korea — is a North American manufacturer of transportation equipment, including dry and refrigerated van trailers, flatbeds, truck bodies, and dollies. The company’s new facilities in Illinois will focus on expanding its manufacturing footprint to better serve its customers with industry-leading commercial transportation products. The two facilities will be located on the former sites of Caterpillar’s heavy equipment operations and the previous Lion Electric operation site in Will County.

“Hyundai Translead represents a major investment in the future of our community and a powerful signal of continued manufacturing job growth in Will County. Seeing these two facilities return to productive manufacturing use is especially meaningful. We are grateful to the team at Hyundai Translead for being thoughtful and collaborative throughout this process, and to our local partners and community leaders whose support helped make this investment possible. We look forward to the long-term economic opportunity this project will bring,” said Doug Pryor, President and CEO of the Will County Center for Economic Development.