Industry Profiles

Chicago has one of the world's largest and most diversified economies

Photo: “On the Walk” by Brian Koprowski

Auto Manufacturing

Chicago specializes in motor vehicle parts manufacturing, but has a strong presence in all subsectors of the auto manufacturing industry. Top employers include Ford, Navistar and Omron.

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Auto Manufacturing Profile

Biotechnology

The Chicago region is a leader in the biotechnology sector with many companies choosing to locate their headquarters and research centers here. Top employers include Abbot, AbbVie and Argonne National Laboratory.

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Biotechnology Profile

Business Services

The business services sector is a major employer in the Chicago region. Top employers include Deloitte, Mayer Brown and Aon Hewitt. Within the sector, Chicago specializes in advertising agencies, marketing consulting, and administrative management.

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Business Services Profile

Energy

The Chicago region offers both reliability and affordability with its energy supply. Top employers include Siemens, Exelon and S&C Electric Company.

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Energy Profile

Fabricated Metals

Chicago has a specialization in the majority of fabricated metals subsectors, most notably in forging and stamping and spring and wire manufacturing. Top employers include Atkore, Handi-Foil and Spraying Systems.

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Fabricated Metals

FinTech

Chicago’s longstanding role as a global financial and trading center also makes it a hub for the development of new financial technologies. Top employers include J.P. Morgan Chase, Avant and Chicago Board Options Exchange.

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FinTech

Food Manufacturing

Chicago has a long history in food manufacturing that prevails today. Based on GRP, Chicago has the largest food manufacturing sector among peer metros with many large companies choosing to locate their headquarters here. Top employers include Kraft, Pepsi and Nestle.

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Food Manufacturing

Health Services

Companies working in health care services play a crucial role in Chicago’s economy and include some of the largest employers in the region. Top employers include Advocate, Presence Health and Walgreens.

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Health Services

Medical Technology

The Chicago region is an emerging leader in the medical technology sector with several major headquarters and employers. Top employers include Baxter, Siemens and Medline.

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Medical Technology

Plastics and Chemicals

Chicago is a leader in the chemicals and plastics manufacturing sector with many companies choosing to locate their headquarters, research centers and manufacturing plants here. Top employers include Abbott, Ecolab and Pactiv.

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Plastics and Chemicals Profile

Water

The Chicago region’s direct and indirect water industries include a variety of businesses and organizations that utilize, treat, and improve water. Top employers include Exelon, Nalco and Sargent & Lundy.

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Water

Web, Mobile and E-Commerce

The Chicago region is globally competitive in the web and mobile technology sector with many of the nation’s largest technology firms choosing to locate here. Top employers include Motorola, Groupon and HERE.

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Web, Mobile and E-Commerce

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