Illinois offers an attractive target market for providers of Industry 4.0 technologies due to its diverse manufacturing sectors and key industries such as automotive, medical technology and mechanical engineering. The focus is on innovations in areas such as robotics, automation, IoT, digital twins and additive manufacturing. The digital transformation is being promoted by economic policy measures such as the Chips and Science Act and initiatives to relocate production facilities (reshoring).
In addition, the strong growth in the sector is supported by the Inflation Reduction Act, which encourages manufacturers to use resource-efficient production processes. Illinois also offers potential for German companies, particularly in mechanical engineering and process automation, where adaptation to the US market and local customer support are crucial for success. The market is highly competitive but not yet saturated, offering opportunities for customized solutions and collaboration with start-ups.