North American Lighting Expanding in Paris

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Adam Pollet and North American Lighting Inc. have announced that the automotive industry lighting supplier plans to create 300 jobs and invest $50 million to expand its Paris manufacturing plant. North American Lighting, a unit of Japan’s Koito Manufacturing Co. Ltd., currently operates its headquarters in Paris and employs 2,600 full-time workers in the region.

“North American Lighting is a growing business that is helping to revitalize our state’s manufacturing sector,” Pollet said. “North American Lighting is expanding in our state because Governor Pat Quinn has placed a priority on making Illinois a great place to do business. These jobs in Paris will help energize area communities.”

The company plans to almost double the size of its production facility in Paris, building a 200,000-square-foot addition to its existing 250,000-square-foot plant and purchasing new equipment for added production lines.

“We are committed to serving as an economic anchor for southeastern Illinois,” said Greg Conrad, president and chief operating officer at North American Lighting. “The auto industry is growing and so are we. As the auto industry recovery brings new business to North American Lighting, we are bringing new business to Illinois.”

North American Lighting is the largest non-affiliated lighting supplier in North America. The company has been manufacturing lighting products, such as head lights and tail lamps, for the majority of vehicle manufacturers in North America since 1983. The company moved its headquarters to Paris in 2005. Its Illinois manufacturing operations are located in Paris, Salem and Flora.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is providing a targeted investment package that includes a $1 million grant under the Large Business Development Program. The program is designed for businesses undertaking major expansion projects that will result in a substantial private investment and the creation or retention of a large number of Illinois jobs.

North American Lighting is also eligible for a $150,000 Employer Training Investment Program grant to help increase the skills of its workforce and an Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credit valued at $3.2 million over 10 years. The EDGE tax credits are performance-based, meaning a company is not eligible for tax credits unless it meets its commitment to create new jobs, keep existing jobs and make the agreed upon private investment.