ROCKFORD, Illinois – A landmark of the city’s industrial heritage is set for a revival. Rockford Brake Manufacturing has announced plans to restart operations at the former Gunite Corporation facility following a $6.6 million investment backed by the State of Illinois’ EDGE for Startups program.
The project will reactivate a sprawling 619,000-square-foot foundry and machining complex, restoring a critical link in the heavy-duty truck braking supply chain and creating 150 new jobs for the community.
A Phoenix Rising from Former Employees
The company is a unique startup, founded by four longtime former employees of Gunite after its parent company, Accuride, ceased operations in February 2025. Leveraging decades of collective expertise, the new venture will continue Rockford’s storied legacy in brake manufacturing by operating a fully integrated foundry to produce commercial vehicle brake drums entirely in-house.
A Model for Sustainable Manufacturing
Sustainability is a core tenet of the revived operation. The company plans to manufacture 85% of its products from recycled materials, with all finished goods designed for full recyclability. In an innovative circular economy move, foundry byproducts will be repurposed for local municipalities as road deicer, fill material, and aggregate.
State and Local Leaders Hail Industrial Revival
Governor JB Pritzker praised the effort, stating that Illinois’ incentive programs are helping to “reopen a landmark factory while generating new employment opportunities.” The company will receive payroll-based tax credits under the EDGE agreement in exchange for its job creation and investment commitments.
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara commended the project, highlighting how “former workers and a closed facility have united to rebuild and reclaim their place” in the automotive industry.
CEO Paul Wright credited the EDGE program and community collaboration for making the launch possible, focusing on bringing skilled, well-paid manufacturing jobs back to the city. The reopening marks a significant step in reinforcing Illinois’ position as a resilient and forward-looking manufacturing center.
