STATE OF ILLINOIS JOINS MAGICK WOODS PLANS TO ANNOUNCE EXPANSION OF NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS, CREATE NEW JOBS IN AURORA

AURORA, Il—The State of Illinois today joined Magick Woods and City of Aurora officials in announcing a major expansion of the company's North American operations and distribution center in Aurora. With support from state and local officials, the manufacturer of cabinetry and household goods will soon acquire a second location near their current facility, enabling them to add three new assembly lines and bring their total Illinois footprint to 450,000 square feet. The expansion of the Aurora operations includes reshoring key production operations and will make way for 50 new permanent jobs.

"As a longstanding leader in manufacturing, Illinois has the resources that companies today need to grow and compete for the 21st century," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Thanks to our highly skilled talent, investments to modernize key infrastructure, and access to a strong supply chain, we are providing companies like Magick Woods the essential resources needed to meet global customer demand and evolve for the future. I want to thank Magick Woods for their continued commitment to Illinois and for investments that will create new jobs and opportunities for our residents."

With a growing trend of home repairs and remodeling during the pandemic, the company has seen an outsized demand for products, including bathroom vanities, kitchen cabinets and other interior fixtures. The Magick Woods brand can be found in large consumer retail stores, including Home Depot, Lowe's and Menards. The Company has cited access to major US highway systems and proximity to retailers as a top reason for their plans to grow.

"We are thrilled to announce our plans to expand Magick Woods with significant investments to increase the scale and output of products in the U.S." said Indy Pathmanathan, President and Founder of Magick Woods. "Our North American operations in Illinois has always played an integral role in our ability to move high quality projects all around the world - and has become increasingly important during the pandemic when a demand for home goods skyrocketed, helping our company reach new heights. Our success wouldn't be possible without our hardworking and dedicated team in Illinois, and without the support of state and local officials who have continuously supported a strong foundation for growth over the years."

The Magick Woods expansion project is supported with an EDGE agreement provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). A $28 million commitment to grow the North American operations will lay the groundwork for 50 new full-time roles over the next two years, including corporate and production workers and forklift operators. The company already employs 90 engineers, finance, marketing, IT professionals and assembly line workers at its Aurora location.

"Magick Woods' expansion in Aurora is another vote of confidence for Illinois' growing manufacturing sector," said DCEO Acting Director Sylvia Garcia. "Under Governor Pritzker's leadership, we're making investments to modernize workforce training and physical infrastructure to expand our skilled talent base and ensure companies have what they need to meet future demands.  We look forward to working alongside Magick Woods as they continue to invest and grow in Illinois."

"The expansion of Magick Woods is a win-win for the company and our community," said Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin. "This significant investment and commitment from Magick Woods will both strengthen the local manufacturing industry and provide employment to our local workforce. I am looking forward to watching this expansion develop and to returning for the grand opening. Welcome home!"

Working with local workforce partners, Magick Woods is developing a new recruitment outreach program which will focus on three areas: operations management, productions and forklift operators. Magick Woods will begin hiring for these positions in late Spring.

JLL's headquarters practice group represented Magick Woods and provided site selection, brokerage, and business and economic incentive consulting services.

"We are honored to have assisted such a reputable organization," said JLL International Director Meredith O'Connor. "Magick Woods' commitment to Illinois further reinforces the state's reputation as a great place for the world's leading companies to do business."

For years, Illinois has been a manufacturing powerhouse. With manufacturing a leading driver of the economy, the state has continued to see investment even during the pandemic, with over 40 manufacturing company expansions or relocations announced for Illinois last year alone. This includes significant investment in Aurora's growing manufacturing hub, with announcements by fiberoptics producer, viaPhoton, food inspection company FlexRay and global nutrition company, Glanbia.

"Aurora is a manufacturing community, it's a part of who we are" said Bryan Gay, President & CEO of Invest Aurora. "Aurora has been a hub for manufacturing since our founding; located along the Fox River, companies have located to our area for our highly skilled and motivated workforce and our strategic location just outside of the City of Chicago. Today, businesses continue to locate to the city for our business-friendly environment, and our continued investments into infrastructure and technology."

Since taking office, Governor Pritzker has prioritized making investments in the manufacturing industry that will expand access to jobs, training and maintain Illinois as a top destination for manufacturing in the face of continued innovation and automation of the industry.  This includes the creation of the apprenticeship tax credit to further establish and build out the pipeline of skilled talent of advanced manufacturers in our state to help prepare Illinois for the advances in the manufacturing industry.

About Magick Woods: Magick Woods Inc., launched in 1993 as a boutique specialty cabinet manufacturer and currently operates under its parent company, Magick Woods Exports Private Ltd., located in India. In 2017, after extensive investigation and analysis, Magick Woods elected to locate its first and only U.S. operations in Aurora, Illinois. Magick Woods currently sells to many household retailers and distributors including Home Depot, Menards, and Lowe's.