Kankakee Times

IKO Roofing has begun construction on a 15,000-square-foot addition to its manufacturing facility in Kankakee that will facilitate a production expansion creating between 10 and 15 jobs, according to the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County.

IKO settled in Kankakee as its Midwestern location in 2005, operating on a 23-acre site. The South-Tec Industrial Park complex initially employed 55 workers, but the privately owned company has continued to invest in the area, resulting in a local workforce of 90, as of May.

The Kankakee plant, already boasting 250,000 square feet, is one of more than 25 spread throughout North America and Europe. It provides suppliers throughout the Midwest with IKO’s roofing products, and the expansion will allow the facility to produce more ice and water shield products.

Derek Fee, spokesman for IKO North America, the line consists of rubberized, peel-and-stick layers that help homeowners protect their properties from ice damage. IKO produces three lines: ArmourGard, GoldShield and StormShield, all of which are placed under roofing shingles.

"This has been in discussion for our Midwestern [Kankakee] location for well over a year,” Fee said. “Business is growing."