Hyundai Translead to Create 3,750 Factory Jobs in Joliet, Illinois
Hyundai Translead is raising its Illinois plan to $600 million and 3,750 full-time jobs at two trailer plants in Will County, up from about 2,500 jobs.
USAIn brief
- Hyundai Translead now plans 3,750 new full-time jobs in Will County, Illinois, up from the roughly 2,500 it promised in March 2026.
- Its total investment rises to $600 million across two former industrial sites in the Joliet area.
- The plants will build dry and refrigerated van trailers, flatbeds, truck bodies and dollies.
- Illinois is funding a new Manufacturing Training Academy at Joliet Junior College to train technicians and welders.
| Country | USA |
|---|---|
| Organization | Hyundai Translead |
| Official source | Office of Gov. JB Pritzker via RiverBender – Hyundai Translead to create 3,750 jobs in Will County ✓ riverbender.com |
Hyundai Translead, the trailer-making arm of Hyundai Motor Company, has raised its hiring target in Illinois to 3,750 full-time jobs. Governor JB Pritzker announced the bigger plan in Joliet on 22 October 2026. The company had first promised about 2,500 jobs when it unveiled the project in March.
The investment has also grown, from about $450 million to $600 million. The company says demand has been strong enough to add a third shift, which is where most of the extra jobs come from.
Key facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Employer | Hyundai Translead (Hyundai Motor Company subsidiary) |
| New full-time jobs | 3,750 |
| Earlier promise (March 2026) | About 2,500 |
| Investment | $600 million |
| Location | Joliet area, Will County, Illinois |
| Sites | Former Caterpillar plant and former Lion Electric bus plant |
| Products | Dry and refrigerated van trailers, flatbeds, truck bodies, dollies |
What kind of work is coming
These are factory jobs in heavy manufacturing. The official announcement does not list job titles or pay, but trailer production normally needs:
- Production and assembly workers
- Welders and fabricators
- Maintenance and industrial technicians
- Forklift, logistics and warehouse staff
- Quality control, supervisors and engineers
The state's own training plan gives a clue about the most needed skills. Illinois is paying for a new Manufacturing Training Academy at Joliet Junior College that will train industrial maintenance and advanced manufacturing technicians and double the college's welding capacity.
Why it matters for the region
The old Caterpillar site in Joliet once employed about 6,500 people, and local leaders see the project as a return of large-scale factory work. Both sites sit close to major freight routes, and the company says hundreds of its customers are within a short drive.
Across Illinois, companies in the state's EDGE incentive programme have now promised about 6,000 new jobs in 2026.
How to apply
No public application date has been given. Job seekers should:
- Watch the official Hyundai Translead website, hyundaitranslead.com, for careers updates.
- Search for openings on the state's free job portal, Illinois JobLink.
- Contact Joliet Junior College about welding and manufacturing courses linked to the new academy.
What it means for job seekers
- Welding is a strong ticket in. A recognised welding certificate is likely to stand out with this employer.
- Shift work is part of the deal. A third shift means evening and night hours, which can suit people who want higher shift pay.
- Get local training early. The college academy is being built for these plants, so finishing a course now puts you ahead when hiring peaks.
- Live nearby or plan to. Will County, south-west of Chicago, is the hiring area.
This adds to a run of big US factory announcements this year, including Lockheed Martin's plan for 6,000 new US jobs.
Frequently asked questions
How many jobs is Hyundai Translead creating in Illinois?
3,750 new full-time jobs in Will County, according to the Illinois governor's office.
Where are the Hyundai Translead plants?
In the Joliet area of Will County, on the former Caterpillar site and the former Lion Electric bus plant.
What does Hyundai Translead make?
Trailers for the trucking industry, including dry and refrigerated vans, flatbeds, truck bodies and dollies.
Is there training for these jobs?
Yes. Illinois is setting up a Manufacturing Training Academy at Joliet Junior College for maintenance technicians, advanced manufacturing and welding.
Apply only through the official source.
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