Facility provides product demonstrations, operator training and customer support programs
Media Contacts: Nicole Burton
502-564-2611
Nicole.Burton@ky.gov
Jack Mazurak
502-782-1965
Jack.Mazurak@ky.gov
FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 13, 2019) – Gov. Matt Bevin today congratulated LBX Co. LLC, which produces Link-Belt excavators, material handlers and forestry equipment, on opening its $10 million-plus customer experience and training center in Lexington.
“LBX has established itself as a dynamic employer and valuable corporate partner in Lexington, and we are excited to see their footprint continue to expand in Kentucky,” Gov. Bevin said. “The company’s exemplary employee training efforts, reflected by this investment, are a powerful model for how businesses can develop a skilled workforce for the future. We congratulate LBX and thank its leadership for their continued commitment to the commonwealth.”
LBX revealed its new facility on 25 acres in the Citation Business Park on Remington Way. Company officials have said the operation will accommodate customer experience programs, including dealer training, product demonstrations and community events. The location is the company’s second in Lexington, joining its headquarters and distribution center on Buck Lane.
“Today marks the culmination of a vision that started several years ago,” said Eric Sauvage, LBX president and CEO. “A vision to better support our dealers, our customers, our employees and our community, with our state-of-the-art, 23,000-square-foot LBX Customer Experience Center. We are all very excited, and already have a full calendar for the 2019 usage of our new facility, with product and service trainings, customer demonstration days, clinic tests and philanthropy events.”
LBX makes Link-Belt hydraulic excavators, scrap/material handlers, demolition equipment and forestry equipment. Its sells its products through an independent dealer network across North and Latin America. LBX’s subsidiary company, LBX do Brasil, distributes products in Brazil. LBX Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo (S.H.I.) Construction Machinery, a global provider of construction equipment based in Chiba, Japan.
Sen. Ralph Alvarado, of Winchester, applauded the company’s expansion.
“I would like to congratulate LBX on their outstanding success that has brought them to this point,” Sen. Alvarado said. “Their dedication to Kentucky’s skilled workforce is greatly appreciated. This new training and testing facility is paving a way to future growth and development for LBX.”
Rep. George A. Brown Jr., of Lexington, said the new facility deepens LBX’s roots in the city and state.
“This is great news for LBX and Lexington alike, and I want to thank the company for investing so much in our community and strengthening the deep corporate ties it has here,” Rep. Brown said. “I also appreciate those local and state officials who worked with LBX to make this grand opening possible.”
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton commended the company for its continued growth.
“Congratulations to everyone at LBX,” Mayor Gorton said. “We work hard to help local companies grow, and LBX is part of a successful family of companies headquartered right here in Lexington. LBX is quite a success story, now employing nearly 100. This new facility will help their growth continue.”
Bob Quick, president and CEO of Commerce Lexington, said he appreciates the company’s additional positive impact on the Lexington business community.
“Lexington is fortunate to have LBX Co., a global leader in excavators, headquartered here,” Quick said. “The Customer Experience Center will enhance their operations and allow them to better serve their customers from Central Kentucky. Congratulations on this exciting day.”
To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in March 2018 approved the company for up to $70,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA). KEIA allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing.
In addition, LBX 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.
For more information on LBX, visit www.LBXCo.com.
A detailed community profile for Fayette 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, follow on Twitter and watch the Cabinet’s “Now You Know” video on YouTube.