Over two years after a devastating fire destroyed its warehouse, furniture and retail fixture manufacturer Morgan Li has opened a new 240,000-square-foot facility in Chicago Heights, marking a significant milestone in its recovery and growth.
© Morgan Li
The blaze, which occurred in 2023, disrupted Morgan Li's expansion plans. Though the cause remains undetermined, the family-owned company resolved to rebuild. The new warehouse, located at 1001 Washington Avenue, now consolidates much of the firm's operations under one roof, aiming to improve efficiency and reduce trucking demands.
Company CEO Andy Rosenband described the journey as a "wild ride", while President Jonathan Rosenband said the rebuild was necessary: 'Once we knew we could build on top of it, we didn't really feel like there was another choice.'
The facility includes 24 loading docks and features advanced technologies, as well as robust recycling capabilities for metal and cardboard. A nearby 40,000-square-foot space will house the company's paint line and is expected to be operational by mid-July.
Morgan Li's new setup allows teams once siloed across multiple locations to work collectively. 'Everyone's been so separated. Now, they're all going to be together and working as a team,' said Jonathan Rosenband.
The company, which services major brands including Gap, Vans, Walmart and newcomer Sprouts, plans to hire 20 to 25 new employees for paint line, assembly and general labour roles once fully operational.
Morgan Li's headquarters remains nearby at 383 E. 16th Street, and the new site offers room for future expansion as the company continues to scale.
Chicago Heights firefighters who helped contain the original blaze were present at the ribbon-cutting, symbolising the full-circle moment for a firm determined to move forward.
Source: www.chicago.suntimes.com