ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (April 27, 2015) – When Hendrickson USA LLC announced plans to build a highly advanced facility in Elizabethtown last year, the global manufacturer intended to create 75 jobs and invest $20 million in the project.
The plan has expanded beyond those projections. Gov. Steve Beshear today joined company officials and local leaders to not only cut the ribbon on the company's new facility, but also to announce and break ground on an expansion project. The new phase means Hendrickson will hire an additional 21 employees and invest an additional $19 million in its Hardin County operation.
"This is certainly a cause for celebration," said Gov. Beshear. "The fact that Hendrickson just arrived in Etown and is already expanding is a true testament to the company's global success and to Kentucky's highly skilled workforce. Hendrickson has been a tremendous corporate partner to the Commonwealth, and I'm excited to see the company's continued growth."
The Elizabethtown site will manufacture products to supply the company's operations in nearby states. Hendrickson plans to add a second 50,000-square-foot building next to its existing 100,000-square-foot facility in the T.J. Patterson Industrial Park. The new building will allow the company to add processing equipment.
As the facility is highly automated, Hendrickson chose Hardin County due to its available workforce, training programs and centralized location. Once the second building is fully operational, the company will employ 96 people in Elizabethtown.
"I am pleased to announce that, once again, Hendrickson is expanding operations in Kentucky," said Perry Bahr, vice president of Trailer Commercial Vehicle Systems for Hendrickson. "Our team members in Kentucky have demonstrated outstanding work ethics, dedication and loyalty. Their efforts continue to help expand the Hendrickson business while maintaining our reputation in the commercial transportation industry as a leading global manufacturer and supplier of durable, dependable and quality suspension systems. This project would not have been possible without the support of the Commonwealth, and we look forward to an ongoing partnership with local and state officials to help Hendrickson, as well as the community, continue to grow and prosper."
Hendrickson is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of medium and heavy-duty suspension systems, axle systems, springs and stabilizers, and bumper and trim components. The company has two existing operations in Somerset and Lebanon, currently employing just under 700 Kentuckians.
"I am excited to be a part of this ceremony celebrating Hendrickson's new facility – and excited that the company has announced its expansion," said Sen. Dennis Parrett, of Elizabethtown. "This is wonderful news for our community, our region and the state. We will benefit from the good jobs and an even greater investment in our industrial base. I welcome and congratulate our corporate friend and look forward to building on this partnership."
"It was just a year ago that we welcomed Hendrickson USA to our community, and we were so excited to be able to assist them in the establishment of their facility in Elizabethtown," said Elizabethtown Mayor Edna Berger. "Today, we return to acknowledge that they are in full production and ready to begin phase two of their operation. We are looking forward to this expansion and want the company to know that the city is available to support and assist them as they continue to grow in Elizabethtown."
"We are very pleased to congratulate Hendrickson USA on the completion of phase one of their construction and welcome them into our community's industrial base," said Harry L. Berry, Hardin County judge-executive. "Local development and the job creation resulting from adding new industrial partners, such as Hendrickson, to our community are essential to keeping our economy strong. The addition of this Hendrickson facility and the growth of Hendrickson USA through the years to come will prove to be a great boost to our region's manufacturing base."
To encourage the investment and job growth in Hardin County, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $1.95 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.
For more information on Hendrickson USA LLC, visit www.hendrickson-intl.com.
A detailed community profile for Elizabethtown (Hardin County) can be viewed here
Information on Kentucky's economic development efforts and programs is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ThinkKentucky or follow on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ThinkKentucky. Watch the Cabinet's "This is My Kentucky" video on YouTube.
The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is the primary state agency responsible for encouraging new jobs and investment in the state. New capital investment announced in Kentucky in 2014 totaled a state record $3.7 billion, spurring more than 15,000 projected new jobs. The Commonwealth also received Site Selection magazine's nationally acclaimed Governor's Cup for most economic development projects per capita last year. Information on available industrial properties, workforce development assistance, incentive programs, community profiles, small business development and other economic development resources is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com.