Auto supplier expected to double plant size, create 45 jobs
Media Contacts: Nicole Burton
502-564-2611
Nicole.Burton@ky.gov
Jack Mazurak
502-782-1965
Jack.Mazurak@ky.gov
FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 28, 2018) – Gov. Matt Bevin today announced DENSO Air Systems Michigan Inc. (ASMI) will expand its presence in Christian County with a more than $3.5 million investment creating 45 full-time jobs.
“Since locating a facility in Hopkinsville just a few short years ago, DENSO has proven to be a company in high gear,” Gov. Bevin said. “This expansion, doubling the size of their operation, is exciting news for the Christian County region and for the commonwealth. We congratulate DENSO on its rapid growth in Kentucky, and we are grateful for their continued commitment to investing here.”
DENSO Air Systems will build a 48,000-square-foot addition onto its facility on Frank Yost Lane in Hopkinsville, doubling the building’s footprint. The company also will purchase new equipment to help meet rising customer demand. The expansion will boost production of aluminum HVAC pipes, tubes and hose assemblies for the automotive industry.
The DENSO Air Systems Hopkinsville facility was established in 2011 and currently employs 124 associates. DENSO Air Systems is a subsidiary of DENSO, a global automotive technology, systems and components supplier. DENSO Air Systems currently employs 308 people at plants in Michigan and Kentucky.
Another DENSO subsidiary, Kyosan DENSO Manufacturing Kentucky in Mount Sterling employs 640 people and has assembled automotive fuel systems and other products since 2003. In total, DENSO employs 170,000 people worldwide, with 28 manufacturing locations in North America that create 24,000 jobs.
Sen. Whitney Westerfield, of Crofton, commended those who made the project a reality.
“I’m excited to see DENSO Air Systems’ commitment to Hopkinsville with this expansion,” Sen. Westerfield said. “I’m also thankful for the work of our local and state economic development teams, helping to bring new jobs to the area while strengthening Kentucky’s automotive manufacturing muscle.”
Rep. Myron Dossett, of Pembroke, said initiatives at the state level have made investments such as the one by DENSO more feasible.
“I’m extremely happy to see this expansion in Christian County,” Rep. Dossett said. “DENSO Air Systems is a very important part of the Hopkinsville community and has provided numerous jobs for hard-working residents. This expansion and the resulting new jobs would not have been possible without the pro-employment policies of the House majority I’m proud to be a part of.”
Hopkinsville Mayor Carter Hendricks said the expansion highlights the benefits of locating a business in the area.
“We are excited to support DENSO’s continued growth as they are such a valuable member of our community,” Mayor Hendricks said. “Their expansion announcement is further proof that Hopkinsville and Christian County are a great place to do business with an excellent workforce, low taxes, strong community leadership and an awesome quality of life. We celebrate their capital expansion and job creation and look forward to supporting their continued success for years to come.”
Christian County Judge-Executive Steve Tribble pointed out how quickly DENSO Air Systems has grown since locating in Hopkinsville.
“Just over seven years ago, DENSO Air Systems announced their new operation in Christian County. Today, we are excited about the company’s decision to expand this facility,” Judge-Executive Tribble said. “The investment and jobs created benefit our citizens and the surrounding region. We look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come.”
Mark Lindsey, executive director of the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council, expressed enthusiasm about the project.
“It is so exciting that DENSO chose to expand their current manufacturing facility in Hopkinsville and Christian County,” he said. “It demonstrates the commitment from our existing industry and we look forward to the continued partnership.”
To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $900,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.
In addition, DENSO Air Systems can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. In fiscal 2017, the Kentucky Skills Network provided training for more than 120,000 Kentuckians and 5,700 companies from a variety of industry sectors.
For more information on DENSO Air Systems, visit www.DensoCorp-na-asmi.com.
A detailed community profile for Christian County can be viewed here.
Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at ThinkKentucky.com. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion on Facebook or follow on Twitter. Watch the Cabinet’s “This is My Kentucky” video on YouTube.