ELGIN, Ill.—Helukabel GmbH has invested more than $38 million to increase its global presence in 2017.
The wire and cable firm's U.S. subsidiary, Helukabel USA, broke ground on a new headquarters Nov. 9. The firm intends to move into the 75,000-sq.-ft. building in the spring of 2018, located in the Chicago suburb of West Dundee, Ill.
In separate moves, the firm has expanded its manufacturing facility in Windsbach, Germany, and recently opened subsidiaries in both Mexico and Brazil.
Helukabel's new U.S. headquarters represents an $8 million investment with room to expand beyond 200,000 square feet if future growth dictates. The site will open with about 20 full-time employees. A company spokesman said via email the firm had maxed out its previous 45,000-sq.-ft. headquarters in Elgin.
The building will have state-of-the-art energy efficiency systems in place. The spokesman added that the firm will be able to increase operational efficiency with improved workflow as well as a dedicated spooling rack space for high-volume items.
Helukabel also wanted a location that wasn't too far from its current site. The new facility is about five miles away from Elgin.
"It was important to find a property in close geographic proximity to our current location to maintain our existing employee base," Helukabel USA President Markus Dannheim said in a statement. "Our employees and the relationships they have created with customers around the world are a fundamental key factor for the continued success our company has experienced over the past years. It was furthermore important for us to have immediate interstate access to minimize lead-times for our customers. West Dundee and their pragmatic and progress-oriented city officials made it an easy decision for us to invest within their city limits."
The spokesman added that the North America market has been growing steadily for the firm, both organically and through the establishment of new subsidiaries. Its new headquarters will have more storage racks to enhance product availability and reduce customer lead times, in addition to dedicated rack space for high-volume, small cut lengths that can be packaged directly from the rack instead of moving cables to the cutting equipment.
He said Helukabel projects growth in the region to continue at the same level it has been during the last 10 years.