Northern Illinois has plenty of factories already. Now an Italian company that makes heating and cooling equipment is betting on it too.
On Oct. 8, Aermec North America broke ground on a new manufacturing facility in DeKalb. It will be the HVAC company's first U.S. manufacturing site and its new U.S. headquarters, bringing manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and corporate operations under one roof.
According to developer Venture One Real Estate, the build-to-suit facility will be 189,680 square feet and is expected to be finished in the third quarter of 2027.
The team
Here's a project where the general contractor is public. Venture One says the team includes:
- Developer: Venture One Real Estate
- General contractor: Meridian Design Build
- Architect: Ware Malcomb
- Civil engineer: Jacob & Hefner
Sean Henrick of Cushman & Wakefield helped Aermec with site selection. Venture One said the building is purpose-built around Aermec's operational requirements and adds to its portfolio of specialized build-to-suit projects for manufacturers.
The state's role
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity joined Aermec and the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation at the groundbreaking. According to the state's announcement, Aermec is investing $15 million and will create 30 new full-time jobs. The project is backed by an Economic Development for a Growing Economy, or EDGE, tax credit agreement with the state.
The plant will support production of climate control and energy management system products. The state says the project should also bring economic benefits through construction activity and support for local suppliers and service providers.
"Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for Aermec in North America," said Luca Martini, managing director of Aermec North America. "For more than 20 years, Aermec has been serving customers across the U.S. and Canada. Our decision to invest in Illinois was driven by the State's outstanding support and collaboration. We are proud to begin this journey in DeKalb and excited about what we will build together with our customers, partners, employees and the local community."
Gov. JB Pritzker said the decision "reaffirms Illinois' position as a top destination for manufacturers and job creators looking to do business in America."
State Sen. Sue Rezin said the plant "will bring good-paying jobs and economic opportunities to the area while adding to the strong manufacturing presence that already exists across northern Illinois." The state says companies in the EDGE program have committed so far this year to creating nearly 6,000 new jobs and more than $2.6 billion in investments.
DeKalb won the project over other places. "Aermec's decision to locate in DeKalb, following a competitive search that included sites across multiple states, is a tremendous vote of confidence for Illinois, DeKalb County and the City of DeKalb," said Melissa Amedeo, executive director of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation. "DeKalb County has a strong manufacturing history, and this project builds on that legacy while creating new opportunities for our workforce."
The plant is going up in DeKalb's Park 88, according to the state's EDGE agreement and city records. A city of DeKalb memo on the project also shows room for a future expansion of 185,640 square feet, along with 140 parking spaces and regional stormwater detention.
A build-to-suit plant that combines manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and offices is a different job than a plain spec warehouse. The manufacturing side brings production space and the utilities that come with it, while the headquarters side brings office build-out. Putting all of it under one roof on a schedule to finish in the third quarter of 2027 means a busy year-plus for the team.
Why it matters for Contractors
Aermec's plant is a solid piece of industrial work for northern Illinois, with a general contractor already named. Meridian Design Build is the firm to contact for subcontract opportunities, from site work, concrete and steel to roofing, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and HVAC. Industrial electricians and mechanical crews should take particular note, since this is a factory, not just a warehouse. Office build-out for the headquarters side offers work for interior trades, from framing and drywall to ceilings, flooring and finishes. And with a possible future expansion of 185,640 square feet shown in city plans, contractors who do good work on phase one could be in line for more down the road. Venture One's growing build-to-suit portfolio is worth watching too.