Electric truck manufacturer Rivian Automotive is set to construct a $120m supplier park adjacent to its electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in Normal, Illinois, US.
This development aims to streamline material supply processes for Rivian's EV production.
The supplier park is expected to host key suppliers, which will lead to additional job creation, including nearly 100 direct Rivian positions.
Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe said: “We are excited to see this supplier park coming together so quickly. This will be a key enabler to increasing production at the plant in 2026 when we start to build R2 in addition to R1 and our commercial vans.
"We are grateful to Governor Pritzker and the state’s partnership and are looking forward to welcoming suppliers at the new space.”
A portion of Rivian's suppliers will engage in light assembly and manufacturing at the supplier park.
Rivian employees will manage the kitting and sequencing of parts, which will then be transported to the main plant.
The supplier park and the main plant will be connected by an underground tunnel, ensuring efficient operations while minimising traffic on local roads.
The State of Illinois is supporting Rivian's expansion with a comprehensive incentives package, which includes assistance with start-up costs, infrastructure improvements, and tax credits linked to job creation.
The Town of Normal is also contributing by improving roads and aiding in the cost of utility infrastructure with future tax reimbursements.
Illinois Governor Pritzker added: “In Illinois, we aren’t just making electric vehicles: we are creating an entire ecosystem – attracting investments, bolstering our workforce, and strengthening the EV manufacturing supply chain.
"Rivian’s investment will attract suppliers from across the globe to invest in Illinois and continue to create good-paying jobs, providing Illinois with the competitive edge to thrive in the clean energy economy.”
Rivian's Normal plant produces all its EVs, including the R1S all-electric SUV, R1T all-electric truck, Amazon Electric Delivery Van, and the Rivian Commercial Van, now available for fleet purchases.
In addition to the 1.2 million ft2 supplier park, Rivian is expanding the plant by 1.1 million ft2 for R2 manufacturing, slated to begin in 2026.
In February, Rivian reported its first quarterly gross profit of $170m for Q4 2024, an improvement from a $606m loss in the previous year.
This turnaround was due to better management of variable costs, revenue per delivered unit, and fixed costs.
