Navistar announces move to Lisle, Illinois

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - It was hardly a surprise when Navistar officials announced the company would be moving its headquarters to Lisle, Illinois on Tuesday morning. What's not known is if the company will retain any presence in Fort Wayne.

Navistar Chairman, President and CEO Dan Ustian made the announcement along with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

The company's headquarters are currently located in Warrenville, Illinois.

According to a press release issued by Navistar, the technology center, once envisioned to be a part of the Lisle facility, will possibly move to Melrose Park, Illinois.

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry said Wednesday's announcement does not change the city's strategy.

"Our strategy all along has been that we're going to fight to retain as many jobs as we can in the city of Fort Wayne," said Mayor Tom Henry, (D) Fort Wayne.

Henry also said the city's consultant has been meeting with Navistar's CEO, and a second meeting has been scheduled to talk about keeping some of the company's jobs in Fort Wayne.

Back in August, Navistar announced that it would begin phasing out operations at its Fort Wayne truck design center over next several years.

It appears most of those jobs will be moved to wherever Navistar ultimately decides to locate its technology center.

In May, Navistar announced it would not consolidate its World Headquarters in Lisle because of opposition from local residents. 

That opposition played a role in Navistar's decision not to locate the technology center in Lisle.

Currently more than 1,400 people work at the Fort Wayne facility.

The City of Fort Wayne is working with WorkOne Northeast and is applying for a federal grant that would help pay for retraining for any workers who lose their jobs.

Check back for updates or watch NewsChannel 15 at 5 and 6.