Chicago started with the major meat companies. They grew in Chicago. Companies such as Armour created global enterprises. Though the meatpacking industry currently plays a lesser role in the city’s economy, Chicago continues to be a major transportation and distribution center. Chicago is the third busiest intermodal port in the world after Hong Kong and Singapore. It is the financial and business capital of the Midwest.

Today, Chicago is home to 12 Fortune 500 companies and is considered to be a prime-manufacturing centre. Manufacturing, printing and publishing, and food processing also play major roles in the city’s economy.

Although Chicago failed to attract the automobile-manufacturing dominance it sought, its other industries thrived through much of the 20th century. Chicago is a major radio and electronics centre. Like all manufacturing cities, the Great Depression also devastated Chicago. But it emerged safe after a while.

Where will you find about manufacturing companies in Chicago? Search for them in the business directories. They will be listed in such directories available locally and globally. Find out the advertisements available about their products. Search in the Internet to find out, who are they and what they do. Newspapers often publish articles on these manufacturing companies.

What types of manufacturing companies are there in Chicago? There are different types of manufacturing companies present in Chicago. Some of the companies are Boeing Co, Kraft Foods Inc., Motorola Inc. Caterpillar Inc., Sara Lee Corp, Deere & Co, Baxter International Inc, Newell Rubbermaid Inc., Tenneco Automotive Inc, Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co, IMC Global Inc., Packaging Corp. of America,, Federal Signal Corp., Richardson Electronics Ltd., Zebra Technologies Corp. and many more.

Impact on the economy of Chicago

These manufacturing companies helped Chicago to get a big name in the field of business and manufacturing. They are the main tools in the upliftment of the economy of the place, sate and the country. They bring more and more money to the country and increase the status of the city. They are helping the city grow bigger and bigger. Manufacturing companies are offering better scope for growth to the economy.

They are providing employment opportunities for thousands of people. United states economy is dependent on the performance of such companies. When they perform well, then the economy rises and the NASDAQ soars. When they are hit by some or other factor, the US economy also gets hit.

Many products nowadays are manufactured overseas. If you have a product that you are looking to have manufactured, there are a few things to think about before you start decide whether to work with a domestic or foreign manufacturer.

Are Costs Higher? – United States businesses many times use foreign manufacturers because the cost of manufacturing a product in other countries is usually lower than the cost of manufacturing it in the US. Nevertheless, it is important to be aware of the additional costs of using a foreign manufacturer versus having the product produced domestically. Two additional costs of using an foreign manufacturer are shipping and bank fees. Shipping costs are obviously much higher when doing business with another country. As for bank fees, many foreign businesses will only accept payments via bank transfer. The fees for making bank transfers vary from bank to bank so look into what these will be ahead of time.

Are Laws More Complex? – Imports from foreign countries to the United States are regulated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency. The regulations administered by this agency are highly complex and detailed, and it is very important for anyone interested in dealing with a manufacturer in another country to determine exactly which regulations apply to the product or products being imported. Duties on imports are also additional costs of importing products.

How Can I Protect Myself? – Because most, if not all, of your correspondence with a foreign manufacturer is done from a distance, it is also important for you to safeguard against the risks associated with dealing with a potentially unreliable company. For this reason, it is strongly advised to use only reputable companies that have demonstrated reliable service in the past. If a company steals your money or fails to deliver on an order, it will be far more difficult for you to take legal action against the company than it would be if you were dealing domestically. There are many resources to be found online that can help you determine whether the foreign manufacturer you are considering has shown themselves to be reliable.