NJ-based company to locate new manufacturing facility in Champaign | Business | news-gazette.com

Raptor Power Systems Expands to Illinois

Raptor Power Systems, a company specializing in power distribution equipment for data centers, is opening a new manufacturing facility in Champaign, Illinois. This will be their largest facility, surpassing their two existing plants in New Jersey.

Facility Details and Job Creation

The new facility, located in the Apollo Drive industrial area, spans over 65,000 square feet and will primarily focus on manufacturing and testing their flagship power distribution units (approximately 1 million watts). The company plans to hire around 50 skilled manufacturing employees within 8-14 weeks and reach approximately 75 employees by year's end.

Reasons for Choosing Champaign

The company's president, Evan El Koury, cited several reasons for choosing Champaign:

• Availability of skilled labor from companies like Kraft and Caterpillar, and engineering talent from the University of Illinois.
• Reasonable cost of living.
• Accessible industrial space.
• Personal connection to the area, as his wife grew up in Savoy.

The facility is expected to begin production by August, following employee hiring and training, as well as the installation of automation equipment.