Industrial Realty Group, LLC (IRG) has announced a landmark long-term lease agreement with Hyundai Translead, marking a significant expansion in the U.S. manufacturing landscape. The deal involves 1.38 million square feet of industrial space in Joliet, Illinois, reinforcing the region’s position as a key logistics and manufacturing hub.
Strategic Expansion in Will County
The facility, previously operated by Caterpillar, will be revitalized under Hyundai Translead’s operations. This move represents a strategic effort to enhance production capacity and meet growing demand across North America. The redevelopment aligns with IRG’s core focus on transforming legacy industrial sites into high-value economic assets.
Hyundai Translead, a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company, aims to leverage the location’s logistical advantages and skilled workforce to scale its manufacturing operations efficiently.

Operational and Industrial Impact
The expansion includes not only the Joliet facility but also a secondary site at the former Lion Electric location in Will County. Together, these facilities will strengthen Hyundai Translead’s manufacturing footprint, particularly in the production of trailers and advanced transportation solutions.
The project reflects increasing industrial demand for large-scale, modernized facilities capable of supporting advanced manufacturing technologies and supply chain efficiency.
Economic and Employment Boost
The combined investment of approximately $450 million is expected to create nearly 2,500 full-time jobs in the region. This development is set to significantly contribute to local economic growth, workforce development, and infrastructure utilization in Will County.
The influx of jobs will span manufacturing, operations, and administrative roles, further strengthening Illinois’ position as a competitive industrial destination in the United States.
Strategic Significance for Industry
This partnership underscores a broader trend of global manufacturers expanding their presence in North America to enhance supply chain resilience and regional production capabilities. It also highlights the growing importance of adaptive reuse in industrial real estate, where legacy facilities are transformed into modern manufacturing hubs.
For Hyundai Translead, the expansion signals long-term confidence in the U.S. market, while for IRG, it reinforces its role as a key enabler of large-scale industrial redevelopment projects.

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