Cool Stuff Made in the Chicago Area

The Chicago area is home to nearly 12,000 companies that are designing and creating a huge range of products for consumers, businesses and other customers. While some are household names and others less so, many have an ongoing need for workers. Here is a small sampling of some locally made products, the companies that make them and the types of job opportunities that may be available.

SeatLink^™

Seat belt warning system
Where: West Humboldt Park
Website: freedmanseating.com

As federal and local regulations continue to advance transportation safety initiatives, SeatLink™ offers a practical extension to seat belts by displaying and tracking the occupancy and belt issues of passenger seats and providing visual warnings to the driver. The system triggers an alert if an occupant sits but doesn’t buckle, or buckles before sitting. It also records and stores data that can be retrieved in case of an accident or other event. Freedman Seating, a family-owned and operated company founded in 1894, developed the product, which is powered by InterMotive Vehicle Controls, a leading manufacturer of electronic control systems. Manufacturing takes place at Freedman’s West Humboldt Park headquarters.

CAREERS: Freedman seeks people who want to work in a collaborative, fast-paced manufacturing environment. Jobs include assembler, grinder, polisher, inventory control specialist, maintenance mechanic, material handler, robot operator, upholsterer and welder.