NORMAL, IL — A global leader in automative seat manufacturing plans to invest $8 million to open a new facility in Normal that will create 75 new full-time jobs.
Gov. JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and Plymouth, Michigan-based Adient made the announcement July 21.
According to the news release, Adient will use an existing 85,000-square-foot warehouse near Rivian’s plant in Normal to produce front and rear seat assemblies for the American electric vehicle maker.
“With more EV suppliers calling Illinois home due to our unmatched workforce, infrastructure and competitive incentives, we are growing our reputation as a global leader in the electric vehicle sector,” Pritzker said in the news release. “Adient’s new facility in Normal is a critical investment in our state’s growing EV ecosystem and supply chain. With yet another global company choosing to locate in Illinois, we’re creating more jobs, opportunities and bolstering economic development for the people of Illinois.”
“Having suppliers like Adient located near our plant in Normal will be a key enabler when we increase production next year to build R2,” said Carlo Materazzo, Rivian Vice President of Manufacturing Operations. “Integrating suppliers on site reduces costs and improves manufacturing efficiency.”
Last year, Rivian announced a historic $1.5 billion investment from the company to build its highly anticipated R2 model at its Normal facility and create more than 550 full-time jobs. Earlier this year, Illinois and Rivian announced the company is investing an additional $120 million and creating nearly 100 more jobs to construct a new 1.2 million-square-foot supplier park across Highway 150.
Normal Mayor Chris Koos welcomed Adient to Normal’s business community stating that the company’s addition to the area will bring job growth, strengthen the economy and build a foundation for future growth in the area.
Using an existing facility near the Rivian plant will assist Adient in starting up operations as soon as possible, the release states.
“Having suppliers like Adient located near our plant in Normal will be a key enabler when we increase production next year to build R2,” Rivian Vice President of Manufacturing Operations Carlo Materazzo said. “Integrating suppliers on site reduces costs and improves manufacturing efficiency.”
Adient specializes in the design, development and manufacturing of seating systems and components for all major automakers. The company maintains a significant global footprint — operating more than 200 manufacturing and assembly plants in 29 countries.
Erich Murphy is a reporter for the (Pontiac) Daily Leader. He can be reached at emurphy@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Adient to invest $8M in Normal, Illinois, facility to make seats for Rivian R2
Reporting by Erich Murphy, Pontiac Daily Leader / Pontiac Daily Leader
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