Rockford's industrial history begins with its rise to national prominence in furniture manufacturing. At one time no less than 25 firms were located in the region, making it the second largest cluster in the US.  Rockford was also a center of excellence for farm implement manufacturing.  The combination of these industries allowed Rockford to diversify into: machine tools, heavy machinery, automotive, aerospace, fasteners, cabinet hardware, packaging devices, and toys. 

The Rockford Region is now considered an excellent location for logistics services, warehouses and distribution centers, aerospace and on and off road vehicles manufacturing, industrial machinery, and metals manufacturing, as well as back office operations/call centers, professional business services, food processing, and chemicals manufacturing. The Rockford Region consists of Boone, Olge, Stephenson and Winnebago counties in northern Illinois and Rock County in southern Wisconsin. The area lies in the heart of the Midwest, at the crossroads of America and in very close proximity to Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, Quad-Cities, and Peoria. Its central time zone location allows your company to reach its customers from coast to coast during normal business hours. The 75 institutions of higher learning that lie within a 90-mile commute of Rockford provide a skilled and readily available work force. The Rockford Region's low cost of living and competitive wage rates benefit both employer and employee.

Aerospace

Aerospace engineering/manufacturing company UTC Aerospace Systems employes 2,300 workers in Rockford: nearly half are engineers. But the company invests in much more than human capital in Rockford; UTC has recently invested $50 million in its Rockford Airplane Systems Integration Facility and Integrated Systems Test Lab.

Logistics

There's a reason this is called the heartland. Rockford is smack dab in the middle of the burgeoning I-39/I-90 Logistics Corridor and home of one of the top 25 cargo airports in the United States.

Manufacturing

Ask Clinkenbeard's Ron Gustafson what he thinks best about operating his successful machining company in Rockford, Illinois an he'll quickly say "the workforce".