Company creates more manufacturing jobs in Chicago
Posted on June 26, 2019
One company is growing and creating more manufacturing jobs in Chicago.
Skender, the Chicago-based construction, design and manufacturing firm will develop steel modular housing units from technical design to onsite completion, expanding affordable housing options for Chicago and other cities across the country.
The new state of the art manufacturing facility will create modular buildings using a new cost-effective and sustainable method, allowing for faster development of affordable housing, hospital and healthcare buildings for Chicago and in cities beyond. Skender’s new manufacturing facility will create 150 new full-time jobs once operations reach full capacity.
“The new Skender advanced manufacturing facility is a win-win for Chicago; generating job growth on the Southwest side while advancing a creative solution to address the affordable housing shortage,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “We will work with residents, community leaders and developers across the city to ensure every Chicagoan has a safe and affordable place to live. The addition of new modular units will improve access to sustainable housing, prevent homelessness, and ensure that as Chicago grows all of our neighbors can afford to grow too.”
The new steel-frame three-flats will be developed in just nine weeks, which is faster and more cost-effective than traditional methods of subsidized affordable housing construction. In the first year, Skender anticipates it will produce up to 200 affordable housing units through a mix of three-flats, six-flats and mid-rises.
“We are proud to join the City today in opening our new production facility that will revolutionize the way we address the affordable housing crisis,” said Mark Skender, CEO, Skender. “Our new facility in Little Village combines the highest quality building materials, cost-effective building practices and a premier workforce to construct sustainable and long-lasting homes faster than ever before, and for the communities that need it most. In addition to three-flats, we will also produce mid-rise multifamily, hospitality and healthcare buildings.”
On site at the facility, skilled union employees will assemble 95% of the modular components, including fixtures, finishes, and most appliances. In addition to the 150 new manufacturing jobs, Skender has committed to hiring locally for installation by partnering with Communities for Construction. To help source, train and prepare the workforce for specialized careers in manufacturing, Skender has partnered with Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, Cara Chicago, Heartland Alliance, Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT), Central States SER and the Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC).
“The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters was integral in the development of this revolutionary partnership with Skender,” said Executive Secretary-Treasurer Gary Perinar. “This puts the City of Chicago at the forefront of a new, innovative and efficient method of constructing multifamily, healthcare and hospitality projects through modular manufacturing. Our highly trained and skilled carpenters will ensure high-quality products and projects that will improve and enhance communities across the city.”