Celebrating Manufacturing Month in McHenry County

Written on September 30, 2025.

October is Manufacturing Month, a time to celebrate the companies and people who keep our economy strong, drive innovation, and create opportunities for our community. In McHenry County, manufacturing is more than an industry, it’s the backbone of our local economy and a vital force shaping our future.

Manufacturing: A Cornerstone of McHenry County

Manufacturing is the third largest industry in our region, with 12,398 jobs that range from engineering and production to logistics and management. Despite being the third largest industry by job count in the county, manufacturing dominates local Gross Regional Product (GRP) in the county, earning $2,032,153,346 in 2024. With many established and operating in McHenry County, our region’s manufacturers have created a name for themselves beyond the county, creating high-quality products that serve local, national, and global markets.

Local manufacturers are also investing in advanced technologies like automation, robotics, and sustainable production practices. These innovations not only strengthen competitiveness but also ensure that McHenry County remains a hub for cutting-edge manufacturing.

Beyond their economic contributions, manufacturers are community builders. Their leadership extends far beyond the shop floor and paves the way for long-term economic vitality.

Supporting Our Workforce

Manufacturers in McHenry County are also deeply committed to workforce development.

Partnerships with local community schools, including McHenry County College, enable students and employees to enroll in training solution programs specific to manufacturing industries. MCC’s new state-of-the-art facility, The Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation (CATI), features open-concept classrooms equipped with the latest technology and equipment used in industry applications to give students hands-on experience.

Manufacturing-led workforce organizations such as the Manufacturing Pathways Consortium help prepare the next generation of talent. Composed of manufacturers, educators, and community partners in and near McHenry County, IL, the consortium collaborates to address the need to secure a talent pipeline of highly-skilled manufacturing employees for the growing manufacturing sector.

Through programs such as summer internships, year-round apprenticeships, and hands-on training, MPC equips students and workers with the skills needed to succeed in modern manufacturing careers. At the same time, local manufacturers gain a direct connection to emerging talent, creating opportunities to engage with potential hires and meet workforce demands efficiently.

Celebrating Our Manufacturers

This Manufacturing Month, we honor the businesses, employees, and partners who make McHenry County a place where innovation thrives and families prosper. Whether it’s a family-owned shop or a global enterprise, each manufacturer plays a part in powering business and energizing our community. Here are just a few of McHenry County’s leading manufacturers.

Action Packaging

Woodstock, IL – New to McHenry County!

Action Packaging is a third-generation, woman-owned packaging manufacturer. Founded in 1980, the company has grown into a national leader, offering over 5,000 packaging products across various sectors, including healthcare, industrial, and foodservice industries.

Flocon, Inc.

2 locations in McHenry County, IL – Woodstock, Harvard

Established in 1989, Flocon, Inc. manufactures fluid dispensing systems and provides a wide range of complementary services. Its valve-actuated dispensing pens, fine mist sprayers and lotion pumps set industry benchmarks for performance and quality. Each product we manufacture is produced from the highest quality materials available and engineered with precision tolerances. The results are products that are cost-effective, durable, dependable and able to meet the demands of consumer expectations for quality and price.

General Kinematics

Crystal Lake, IL

General Kinematics is the premier manufacturer of vibrating equipment for the processing of bulk materials around the world for more than 60 years. From vibratory feeders to entire process systems, General Kinematics creates the solutions you require to process even the most difficult materials.

Marshall Wolf Automation

Algonquin, IL

Established in 1984 and proudly women-owned, Marshall Wolf Automation is an industrial controls distribution that has thrived under family ownership. As an authorized stocking distributor for a wide range of products from top manufacturers, the company offers customers the ability to shop products by manufacturer and parts configurator, ensuring you have the right parts for the job.

Phoenix Woodworking Corporation

Woodstock, IL

Since 1996, Phoenix Woodworking Corporation has been a woman-owned business, providing the highest standard of quality casework for commercial customers throughout the Chicagoland area. As an AWI QCP Certified architectural millwork company, its experienced team of skilled craftsmen, cabinetmakers, and woodworkers has created many eye-catching designs featured in some of the region’s most prominent buildings. Recently, the company was acquired by another woman entrepreneur, continuing its legacy of female leadership and commitment to excellence in manufacturing and design.

Scot Forge

Spring Grove, IL

As an employee-owned company, Scot Forge is a true manufacturing leader in McHenry County. Recognized as the industry leader in open die forging and rolled ring forging, Scot Forge is the world’s premier provider of high-quality metal forging solutions with a 130-year track record of success. Their employee-ownership model also ensures that success is shared across the entire team.

Discover other Manufacturers in McHenry County

Celebrating Manufacturing Month in McHenry County

Manufacturing: A Cornerstone of McHenry County

Supporting Our Workforce

Celebrating Our Manufacturers

Mark Piekos

Kristen Gesicki