When a major steel deck and joist manufacturer wanted to become more competitive in the upper Midwest region, it called on Austin Consulting and The Austin Company to help find a location and build a new manufacturing plant and office building. Austin first performed a site location study focused primarily in areas in Indiana and Illinois to identify the best area based on annual cost and non-cost factors. Important location considerations included quality industrial sites at a reasonable cost, labor availability and a quality local technical school for training needs, an area with a positive history regarding labor relations, a good sources for all utilities especially electric power, and incentive programs including worker training and grants to assist in site development. Upon selection of a final site in Peru, Illinois, The Austin Company also completed design, engineering, and construction services for the new facility.