Manufacturing is a major part of our region’s heritage. As the 5th-largest industry in DuPage County, manufacturing employs more than 57,000 people. This October, we are celebrating Manufacturing Month by sharing the stories of the products, flavors, foods, and more that are Made in DuPage.
Two Brothers Brewing Company
Warrenville | Craft Beer, Coffee
In the last 25 years, Two Brothers Brewing Company has grown from its humble beginnings as a “two-man passion project” into a lifestyle brand that includes award-winning craft beer, three artisan restaurants, specialty-grade coffee, a distribution company, and a line of hand-craft spirits.
Founded by brothers Jim and Jason Ebel in 1996, Two Brothers has locations in Naperville, Aurora, and Warrenville—where they produce their craft beer and coffee. Well-known for high-quality, well-balanced beers that push the boundaries of flavor, Two Brothers is 100% family-owned and staunchly independent.
Shawn Sargent Designs
Glen Ellyn | Handcrafted Home Decor & Accessories
Based in Glen Ellyn, Shawn Sargent Designs brings colorful characters and vibrant patterns to everyday products. Handcrafted using sustainable materials, the company offers home décor, kitchen goods, paper products, bags, gifts, and accessories.
In the last 7 years, Shawn Sargent Designs has grown from a one-woman operation to a small business with national exposure. They’ve cultivated a community of women, artists, teachers, sewers, and U.S.-based makers that create their best-selling fabric Microwave Bowl Holders which have been featured by Real Simple Magazine, Good Morning America, and more.
nVenia
Wood Dale | Packaging Equipment
Located in Wood Dale, nVenia creates next-level packaging equipment integration and innovation. Formed by the consolidation of several Duravant entities, nVenia celebrated the grand opening of their new headquarters earlier this month (October 2021).
nVenia designs and manufactures primary, secondary and end-of-line packaging equipment, featuring the product brands of Arpac, Fischbein, Hamer, and Ohlson. Together, these product brands include shrink wrappers, tunnels and bundlers, tray and case formers, case packers, robotic and conventional palletizers, pallet stretch wrapper systems, open-mouth bag sewing and sealing systems, large format bagging and automation equipment, and weighing and counting operations. nVenia’s expertise includes conceptualizing, designing, manufacturing, installing, integrating, and servicing this equipment.
Proto Productions
Addison | Custom Display Cases
This DuPage business brings together designers, artisans, and technicians to craft premium quality display cases that safeguard some of the nation’s most invaluable artifacts. Founded in 1974, Proto Productions moved to Addison in 1990 where each case is custom designed and built to provide barrier-free viewing.
Their work can be seen at the Art Institute of Chicago, Detroit Institute of Arts, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, and Massachusetts State House, to name a few. Their display cases preserve and exhibit many treasured pieces of history, including the original Oregon State Constitution and Chief Justice John Marshall’s robe.
Show-Off, Inc.
Roselle | Custom Costumes
Custom costume shop Show-Off Inc. helps performers stand out among the competition with their flawless custom fit, professional workmanship, and unique designs. The DuPage company designs and manufactures custom costumes for competitive and performance groups ranging from figure skating dresses to drill team uniforms, ballroom dancewear to pro wrestling wear, and more. Show-Off, Inc. was founded over four decades ago, and has been based in Roselle since 2005.
Flavorchem
Downers Grove | Flavor, Color, and Ingredient Solutions
This DuPage company uses science to make things taste delicious and smell amazing. Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Downers Grove since 1982, Flavorchem creates and manufactures flavor, color and ingredient solutions, including many organic-certified products. Meanwhile, their fragrance division, Orchidia Fragrances, develops inspired creations through the researchers’ knowledge and passion for fragrance. The company’s sweet, savory, sour and spicy creations are produced at manufacturing facilities throughout the world.
MedGyn
Addison | Medical Products, Devices, and Technologies
This DuPage innovator makes technologies that improve women’s health worldwide, including in remote areas with limited access to healthcare. Headquartered in Addison, MedGyn is present in more than 140 countries, delivering a comprehensive portfolio of OB/GYN products.
Ball Horticultural Company
West Chicago | Ornamental Plant Breeder, Producer, and Wholesale Distributor
Have a garden? Chances are, your plants are rooted in the work of Ball Horticultural Company, right here in West Chicago, DuPage County. A family-owned business founded in 1905, Ball Horticultural is on a mission to be the world leader in the research, breeding, production and marketing of ornamental crops. Its innovative and award-winning work can be found in gardens across six continents.
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Pioneer Services Inc.
Addison | Precision Parts
This DuPage manufacturer makes custom parts that are used in some of the world’s most important products—including lab equipment where COVID-19 vaccines are being tested, cooling machines used in giant data centers, hydraulic equipment for energy producers, and hundreds more. Headquartered in Addison, Pioneer Service Inc. is a Women-Owned Small Business with 30 years of experience.
Greenleaf Foods, SPC
Elmhurst | Plant-Based Foods
Some of the North America’s most delicious plant-based protein is made right here in DuPage County! Headquartered in Elmhurst, Greenleaf Foods, SPC, is owner of popular brands Lightlife® and Field Roast, which create nearly 50 plant-based products. Today, the brands have taken a leading market position in the refrigerated, plant-based protein category in the U.S., and they plan to continue enticing new customers who never knew that plant-based protein could taste so good.
Molex
Lisle, Naperville | Connectivity Solutions Provider
This DuPage business is enabling life-saving technologies during COVID-19. Headquartered in Lisle, with a manufacturing facility in Naperville, Molex works with customers in fields like healthcare and data communications to improve lives around the world. Recently, the company collaborated with customers to develop assemblies for thermal camera systems and portable ventilators, technology that’s critical to detecting infections and saving lives.
Fusion OEM
Burr Ridge | Integrated Robot Solutions
This Burr Ridge-based company engineers integrated robot solutions. For decades robotics has been reserved for large manufacturers such as automobile manufacturers, but Fusion’s affordable robotic solutions extended the market to small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises.
Fusion OEM assembles the machines that produce the air-filled “pillows” that protect Amazon orders, machines that place the plastic “six pack” rings on beer cans, and the Carvey— a unit that small businesses, “makers” and students use to mill untold number of innovative products.
IP Automation
Downers Grove | Automation and Wire Fabrication Machinery
What do a stove and shopping cart have in common? Hint: The answer does NOT involve food. Still thinking??? Here’s the answer: Both contain BENT WIRES! The wire rack inside your oven is shaped by the same machine that creates your Costco cart. These products are made possible thanks to companies like IP Automation in Downers Grove known for its wireforming machines and automation lines.
Antunes
Carol Stream | Custom Food Service & Water Treatment Solutions
Family-owned and operated, Antunes is a leading provider of custom countertop cooking equipment and water filtration systems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Antunes quickly leveraged its in-house design and fabrication capabilities. Stepping into action early, they developed safety and sanitation equipment – countertop shields and hand sanitizer dispenser stands – enabling other businesses to stay open. Read more about them here.
Victor Envelope Company
Bensenville | Commercial Printing
For over 50 years, the Victor Envelope Company has delivered on its brand promise: “Envelopes when you need them.” Residing in a 250,000 square foot, air conditioned, state of the art manufacturing and printing facility in Bensenville, the company produces more than 1 billion envelopes annually!
Its dedicated workforce of Machine Adjusters, Machine Operators, Printers, and Mechanics—just to name a few— blend modern print technology, craftsmanship and engineering to deliver the fastest turnaround times in the industry.
Victor Envelope says it embraces its social responsibility to manufacture a competitive product while minimizing any negative impact on the environment. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company was deemed an essential manufacturer. “We dedicated ourselves to keeping our people safe and healthy during the pandemic,” says Susan Ryan, VP of Human Resources. “COVID-19 generated an increased demand for Ballot Envelopes which we were prepared to manufacture.”
Ferrara
Itasca & Bolingbrook | Sweet Treats
Ferrara, an emerging powerhouse in the North American confections and snacking categories, produces the sweet treats and other delights at its Itasca and Bolingbrook facilities.
A $3B organization, Ferrara is No. 1 in seasonal confections and No. 2 in sugar confections. The powerhouse company has entered the world’s largest cookies market through the acquisition of a beloved portfolio of cookie brands, a category growing at more than four percent.
Sustainable growth means Ferrara continues to expand and hiring needs remain constant. Shaping the future of the candy and cookie industry, employees provide quality products to millions of people daily.
For more information visit: www.ferrarausa.com
Packaging Personified
Carol Stream | Flexible Packaging Manufacturer
Apples, carrots, potatoes… Ever wondered about the bags they come in? What about those long black tarps spread across the ground weathering the toughest elements? Meet Packaging Personified. More than a catchy name, this Carol Stream-based manufacturer creates environmentally-friendly storage solutions for frozen foods, produce, landscape, and other markets. Founded in 1975, the company supplies packaging, casings, and wrappings using multiple state-of-the-art methods. Learn more about the company here: https://packagingpersonified.com.
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