Hyundai Translead Adds 1,250 Joliet Jobs
Joliet-area staffing firms, suppliers and service businesses should prepare for added demand as a third production shift launches in 2027.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Jobs — General
Live Poll
Do you think big factory expansions are improving job prospects in your area?
Hyundai Translead plans to invest an additional $150 million in its Illinois manufacturing operations and add 1,250 full-time jobs, bringing its total commitment to $600 million and 3,750 jobs. The company announced the expansion in an Oct. 22 press release, and the added investment will fund a third production shift at facilities in Joliet and Will County.
Why it matters
For Joliet-area businesses, the expansion signals sustained demand for skilled manufacturing labor, suppliers and local services as the plant ramps up. It is also part of the company's broader strategy to strengthen its North American manufacturing network and get closer to customers.
The additional $150 million and 1,250 jobs raise Hyundai Translead's Illinois commitment to $600 million and 3,750 jobs, up from the $450 million and 2,500 jobs announced in March. The two redeveloped Joliet plants total roughly 2.2 million square feet, with a 1.3 million-square-foot former Caterpillar facility and a 900,000-square-foot former Lion Electric plant.
The players
Hyundai Translead
A Hyundai Motor Co. subsidiary that manufactures trailers and operates three plants in Tijuana, Mexico, expanding its North American footprint.
Illinois Economic Development Corp.
The state agency that promotes business investment in Illinois and administers economic development incentives and awards.
The details
Hyundai Translead is redeveloping two shuttered Joliet plants, a 1.3 million-square-foot former Caterpillar facility on Channahon Road and a 900,000-square-foot plant once used by Lion Electric, while retrofitting two advanced manufacturing facilities in Will County. The added investment will fund a third production shift, which is how the company plans to raise output without relying solely on its existing operations. The company is a Hyundai Motor Co. subsidiary that already operates three plants in Tijuana, Mexico.
Timeline
March 2026: original $450 million and 2,500-job project announced.
May 2026: a video announcement said the expansion was coming in 2027.
Oct. 22, 2026: press release announced the additional $150 million and 1,250 jobs.
Earlier in November 2026: the Illinois Economic Development Corp. honored the original project with its Governor's Award for Large Development of the Year.
2027: expansion production expected to begin.
Market Landscape
The expansion follows the March 2026 Hyundai Translead project and reflects a pattern of automakers and suppliers consolidating North American production closer to customers. Hyundai Translead's Joliet build-out now sits alongside its existing Tijuana plants as part of a regional network strategy.
Joliet-area operators in staffing, logistics, industrial services and local retail should plan for rising demand as the plant adds a third shift and 1,250 more full-time roles. Suppliers and contractors serving the Channahon Road and Will County sites may see new procurement opportunities as the 2027 ramp-up approaches.
The takeaway
Operators in the Joliet area should track when Hyundai Translead begins hiring for the 2027 start, since the 1,250 added roles will likely draw on the same labor pool as existing manufacturers. Businesses that want to pursue supplier or service contracts should contact the company's procurement team early, before the ramp-up creates competition for vendors.
What happens next
Expansion production at the redeveloped Joliet plants is expected to begin in 2027.
Further reading
For more on hiring trends shaping the region, see Jobs — General in Joliet.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Trucking Dive.
Live Poll
Do you think big factory expansions are improving job prospects in your area?
