WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — Jel Sert Co., the nation’s largest producer of powdered drink sticks, has completed a $10 million expansion of its West Chicago facility, resulting in the creation of 100 new jobs, state officials announced this week.
The company, which has operated in West Chicago for over 55 years, doubled its original job creation goal, thanks to increased demand and a state-backed tax credit program. Initially expected to add 50 roles, Jel Sert surpassed expectations and boosted its headcount to over 1,400 employees.
“I am proud to say that Jel Sert has called Illinois home since its beginning nearly 100 years ago,” said company president Ken Wegner. “The state has been the best place in the nation for us to do business… including a tremendous workforce, great infrastructure, and the support of government.”
New Manufacturing Capacity Added to Meet Soaring Demand
Jel Sert has transformed its 300,000-square-foot Charles Court facility, previously used solely for distribution, into a hybrid distribution-manufacturing site. The current upgrade adds three state-of-the-art manufacturing lines, occupying 50,000 square feet of space.
According to Wegner, the company is aiming to eventually transition the entire site into manufacturing over the next five years. Within the next six to eight months, three additional lines will be added, bringing the total dedicated manufacturing space to 75,000 square feet.
“We’re doubling the capacity here,” Wegner said. “It’ll probably take us into early next year before we need to expand further.”
Powered by EDGE Tax Credits from Illinois
Jel Sert’s expansion was enabled in part by the Illinois EDGE (Economic Development for a Growing Economy) tax credit program, designed to support large-scale job creation in the state. The company’s investment qualified them for an EDGE credit valued at approximately $5.5 million, as announced by Gov. JB Pritzker’s office.
“It’s important for the future of the state that we have people investing for the long term,” said Gov. Pritzker during the ribbon-cutting. “This company, with almost 100 years under its belt, is a real pride for our entire state.”
The West Chicago expansion allows Jel Sert to scale up to more than three billion powdered drink sticks per year, keeping pace with growing demand across the country.
A Legacy of Local Manufacturing
Founded by Charles Wegner after working at Cracker Jack, Jel Sert began by producing jelly dessert powders—the brand name itself a portmanteau of “jelly” and “dessert.” Today, Jel Sert’s product lineup includes drink mixes, frozen treats, and freezer pops.
Despite its national reach, all of Jel Sert’s manufacturing remains within Greater Chicago, supporting local jobs and infrastructure. The firm operates over 1 million square feet of space across its Illinois facilities.
Have you worked at or benefited from Jel Sert’s long-standing presence in West Chicago? Share your thoughts on how local manufacturing shapes your community in the comments below.
