Transportation Equipment Manufacturing and R&D
Rockford’s Swedish ancestry runs deep, but interestingly, Haldex located here in just 1987. Since then, the hydraulics manufacturing company has experienced growth and significantly increased productivity. This does not come as a surprise to Brian Nelson, Haldex Hydraulic Systems’ Executive Vice President, who is in the business of raising expectations and results.
“Rockford has a unique and healthy manufacturing heritage,” he said. “What this adds up to for modern day companies like Haldex is palpable: a skilled workforce, great manufacturing support, an efficient supply base and excellent training resources. Add to that a strategic central location and low costs of doing business and you have a pretty unbeatable combination.”
Haldex is not the only transportation manufacturing company to expand in the Rockford area. Most notably in 2005, Daimler Chrysler retooled its Belvidere Assembly plant to produce the highly successful Dodge Caliber, creating 2000 direct jobs and 1700 indirect jobs. This success comes as no surprise to automotive manufacturing experts who have long recognized the Belvidere facility for excellence and its ability to face any automotive challenge. In fact, in 2005, Belvidere received PLANT ENGINEERING’s Top Plant recipient.
Transportation equipment manufacturing has long been a dominant force in Rockford’s economy. That is expected to be the case for many years to come. If you’re seeking to expand, start up or relocate your company, please click here to initiate contact with the Rockford Area Economic Development Council. We will be pleased to help facilitate your site research and selection process.