By Abby Laub
Manufacturers and site selectors look for low cost of doing business, favorable laws and regulations, a solid base of existing manufacturers, talented workforce, proprietary knowledge, prime location and logistics – in some cases shipping overseas overnight – and other factors when determining where to produce their goods. Northern Kentucky checks all the boxes, and then some.
Many powerhouse American and international manufacturers have chosen to locate in Northern Kentucky, and many more have logistics and distribution centers including Perfetti Van Melle, Mazak Corp., Safran Landing Systems, L’Oreal USA, Tyson/Hillshire Foods, The Schwan Food Co., Evenflo Feeding, Architectural Aluminum Products, Road ID, Amazon, Bosch, Citi, DHL, Mubea, Cabot Corp., Indy Honeycomb and WILD Flavors.
In 2017 and 2018 alone, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development reported another $500 million in new manufacturing investments.
And the firms already in Northern Kentucky have long-term staying power, such as Blue Grass Metals Inc. In March 2018, the 25-year-old wire forms supplier to the automotive industry expanded its Boone County operation with an investment of more than $4 million and 15 new jobs.
And L’Oréal in April 2017 announced it would build the largest commercial solar array in Kentucky at its Florence-based manufacturing plant.
Mubea is the area’s largest manufacturer, employing more than 1,300, producing heavy-duty products for lightweight construction. CEO of Mubea North America Doug Cain says the company’s success is a “direct result of the hard work of our committed Northern Kentucky and tri-state employees combined with the strong and enthusiastic efforts of the entire business support network.”
Safran Landing Systems contributes heavily to the state’s large and growing aerospace prowess. According to the Cabinet for Economic Development, Kentucky’s aerospace exports increased 183 percent the past five years, and the state has seen a 63 percent employee increase in the private aerospace products and parts manufacturing industry since 2002.
Overall the state has a manufacturing workforce of 250,000, including more than 18,500 industry-specific workers.
Northern Kentucky’s automotive sector makes a massive contribution to making the state the nation’s number three vehicle builder – Kentucky is the top producer of cars, light trucks and SUVs per capita. Statewide, the sector employs nearly 95,000 people at more than 500 companies. In 2017, auto-related exports totaled $5.5 billion.
The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce understands what these numbers mean for the region and the state. Its Northern Kentucky International Trade Association hosted a seminar on Japan’s influence on the Kentucky auto industry. NKITA helps members achieve international trade goals through connections with global business resources and high-impact technical programming in the region.
Meanwhile, care is taken also with industrial waste processes in Northern Kentucky. River Metals Recycle in summer 2018 celebrated its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) certification for excellence in workplace safety. River Metals provides scrap-generating businesses a cost-effective way to market their recyclable resources.
Another priority is keeping the crucial manufacturing workforce pipeline flowing, a big job that’s done in large part thanks to the training efforts of the decade-old Kentucky Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (KY FAME). KY FAME has a Northern Kentucky chapter that includes Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen and Pendleton counties. KY FAME is a partnership of regional manufacturers whose purpose is to implement career pathway, apprenticeship-style educational programs that will create a pipeline of highly skilled workers. Member companies include Bosch, Mubea, Linamar, Safran, HAHN Automation, L’Oréal, Zotefoams, Steinkamp Molding, Nucor, Skilcraft, Diversified Composites, Kraus Maffei, Steinert US and Perfetti Van Melle.
A O Smith Corp.
Porcelain enamel coatings for appliances, water heaters and boilers
Florence
Abrapower Inc.
Abrasive coated foam
Florence
Active Radiator
Truck and industrial radiators
Dayton
Advanced Insulation Concepts Inc.
Cooler and freezer insulating panels and doors
Florence
ALM Media
Magazine & book publisher
Erlanger
Alpla Inc.
Manufacture and distribute plastic packaging for the beverage, personal care and home care industry
Florence
Analytical Solutions And Providers (ASAP)
Laboratory equipment to the forensic, chemical and petrochemical markets
Covington
Ancra International LLC
Cargo restraint strapping and other cargo containment equipment
Erlanger
Anderson Manufacturing
AR-15 Rifles
Hebron
Angstrom Technologies
Electro optical UV detectors
Florence
Aquionics Inc.
UV, water, air and surface purification systems
Erlanger
AquiSense Technologies
LED devices
Erlanger
Architectural Products Inc
Coping, gravel stop, gutter, downspout, fascia systems
Hebron
Aristech Surfaces LLC
Impact acrylic, general purpose acrylic, ABS composite sheet
Florence
Armor USA Inc.
Thermal transfer printer ribbons
Hebron
ATech Training Inc.
Automotive technology training devices
Walton
Atkins & Pearce, Inc.
Braided technical textiles
Covington
Avure Technologies
High pressure food processing
Erlanger
Baker Stamping
Tubular stamp and multi-slide parts
Wilder
Balluff
Industrial networking, object detection
Florence
BAWAC Inc.
Sub-contract, short run assembly, packaging, labeling and assembly labor
Florence
BBS Tech
Small diameter braided products
Erlanger
Beam Dental
Manufacture and ship smart toothbrushes
Erlanger
Beckman Coulter
Diagnostic tests/equipment
Florence
Belleview Sand & Gravel Inc.
Sand and gravel
Petersburg
Benda-Lutz Corporation
Blitz® bonded metallic powder coatings, Blitz® aluminum pigments
Independence
Best Sanitizers
Hand sanitizer
Walton
Beverly International Nutrition, Inc.
Nutrition sports manufacturer
Cold Spring
Blue Grass Metals Inc.
Wire forms and metal stampings
Independence
Blue Grass Quality Meats
Deli meats
Erlanger
BOGE Rubber & Plastics USA LLC
Rubber and metal bushings, engine mounts and plastics
Hebron
Bonfiglioli USA
Speed changer, industrial high-speed drive & gear manufacturing, USA headquarters
Hebron
Boone County Distilling Co.
Bourbon, rye, and other whiskey specialties
Independence
Boone Ready Mix Inc.
Ready-mixed concrete
Burlington
Braxton Brewing
Craft beer
Covington
BWF America Inc.
Dust collector bags, liquid filter cloths, spare collector parts
Hebron
Carl Zeiss Vision Inc.
Optical lab
Hebron
Celanese
Advanced polymer technology to produce high-performance plastic materials
Florence
Cincinnati Ventilating Co. Inc.
Sheet metal fabricating
Florence
Clarion Corp. of America
Car audio, multimedia, information products
Walton
Clopay Plastic Products Company
Specialty films, extrusion coatings, custom-printing, engineered laminations
Augusta
Continental Building Products
Wallboard and joint compound materials
Silver Grove
Corken Steel Products Company
Sheet metal for heating, AC and roofing
Florence
Corrosion Resistant Reinforcing
Fabricate stainless rebar
Walton
Crane Composites Inc.
Fiberglass reinforced plastic panels
Florence
Crescent Paper Tube Co.
Paper tubes, paperboard products, cores, caps
Florence
Cummins Filtration
Filtration, coolant and fuel additive technology
Walton
Desma USA, Inc.
Tooling, rubber injection molds and injection molding machines
Hebron
Diversified Structural Composites
Pultruded composite products, carbon fiber equipment
Erlanger
Dixie Dew Products Co.
Ice cream toppings
Erlanger
DURO Bag a Novolex Brand
Paper bags
Walton
Dynatec Machine Inc.
Machine shop, welding, drilling
Florence
Eagle Manufacturing Co. LLC
Machined engine components
Florence
Eaton Asphalt Paving Co. Inc.
Asphalt and paving products
Walton
Ellison Surface Technologies
Engineered thermal spray coating
Hebron
Emerson Thermography Inc.
Printed materials
Florence
Emerson’s Bakery
Baked goods
Florence
Ernst Concrete
Ready-mixed concrete
Walton
ESCO Corporation
Construction attachments, mining, and conveyor products
Covington
ESTIC America Inc.
Fastening tools for auto assembly lines
Erlanger
Ethos Labs
Drug tests
Newport
Evenflo Feeding, Inc.
Infant equipment, baby care and juvenile products
West Chester
Fabritec International
Professional dry cleaning detergents, wet cleaning soaps and spotting chemicals
Florence
Fields Welding, Inc.
Structural steel fabrication, metal fabrication
Fort Wright
Fischer Special Manufacturing
Automatic screw machine products, produce specialty fasteners and inserts for the automotive industry
Cold Spring
Fives Machining Systems Inc.
Machining and assembly systems, aerospace and automotive production equipment
Hebron
Flint Group
Printing inks
Erlanger
Flottweg Separation Technology Inc
Decanter centrifuges, separators, belt presses
Independence
Forge Lumber
Roof and floor trusses
Erlanger
Fortress Interlocks Inc.
Safety access and control systems
Erlanger
Fuji Autotech USA LLC
Automative seat components
Walton
Galerie Candy & Gifts
Chocolate and specialty candy
Hebron
GameMaster
Louisville Slugger Instructional items and pitching machines
Erlanger
Gates Corporation
Belts, hose, hydraulics
Hebron
General Cable, a Company of the Prysmian Group
Copper, aluminum and fiber optic wire and cable for energy, industrial, specialty and communications markets
Highland Heights
GES Inc.
Trade show exhibits and store fixtures
Hebron
Givaudan Flavors
Fragrance and flavor
Florence
Glier’s Meats, Inc.
German breakfast sausage
Covington
GorillaMaker
3D Printing
Florence
Graham Packaging
Plastic bottles
Florence
Grandpa Brands Co.
Personal care products
Erlanger
Greif Inc.
Rigid industrial packaging, steel drums
Florence
Griffin Industries
Animal rendering services
Cold Spring
Hahn Automation
Industrial equipment and technology
Hebron
Halperns’ Steak & Seafood
High quality portion control beef products
Walton
HBC-radiomatic, Inc.
Radio systems for wireless control of machinery
Hebron
HDT Global
Military air conditioning, heaters, decontamination units
Florence
Henkel
Seal porosity in metal casings
Florence
Hennegan Co.
Offset printing
Florence
Hydra-Tone Chemicals Inc.
Specialty chemicals, detergents, lubricants
Hebron
Hy-Tek Integrated Systems
Material handling solutions
Hebron
Idaka America Inc.
Machines and machine parts
Hebron
Indelac Controls, Inc.
Quarter turn rotary electric actuators used for valve and damper automation
Florence
International Identification Inc.
Animal identification tags
Newport
Indy Honeycomb
Welded metallic honeycomb
Covington
International Mold Steel, Inc.
Steel for plastic & rubber molds
Florence
International Paper
Printing plant, packaging materials
Walton
Interplastic Corporation
Polyester resins used to make windmill blades
Covington
Iofina Chemical, Inc.
Select halogen specialty chemicals, iodine
Covington
J.A.C.C., Inc.
Custom machine safety guarding
Alexandria
Jack’s Glass, Inc.
Home and auto glass solutions
Elsmere
Jackson Tool & Mold LLC
Tool and mold, CNC machining, machine parts
Hebron
Jero Inc.
Stub ends, buttweld pipe fittings
Florence
J-Fab LLC
Florence
Johnson Controls, Inc. – Power Solutions
Lead acid batteries
Florence
Kellogg Snacks
Keebler products
Florence
Kiswel Welding Products
Welding filler manufacturer
Florence
KOI Precast Concrete Inc.
Precast concrete products
Burlington
Kona Ice
Premium tropical shaved ice
Florence
Krauss-Maffei
Plastic fabrication
Florence
KRC Machine Tool Services
Fanuc and Siemens CNC retrofitting
Independence
Kustom Blending LLC
Blended resins and solutions for graphic arts
Walton
Lally Pipe & Tube
Structural & limited service steel pipe
Liberty Plastics Molding Corp Inc.
Plastic injection molds, molding & prototypes
Bellevue
Linamar
Automotive parts and components
Florence
Lingo Manufacturing Co.
Custom permanent point-of-purchase displays
Florence
Linkology
Security systems for parking garages
Newport
LOGOMAT Automation Systems Inc.
LOGOMAT Pallet transfer systems
Hebron
Lohmann Corporation
Specialty adhesive tapes, precision die-cuts
Hebron
L’Oreal USA-Florence Manufacturing
Hair care products
Florence
LSI
Menu boards
Florence
Lyons Magnus
Flavorings and juices
Walton
MACH III Clutch Inc
Clutches and brakes, combination air set clutch/spring set brakes and mechanical friction torque limiters
Walton
Magni Industries Inc.
Corrosion resistant coatings
Independence
Mauer USA
Injection molded caps and closures for personal care products
Hebron
Mazak Corporation
CNC turning centers, vertical machining centers, horizontal machining centers, Multi-Tasking machines, 5-axis machines
Florence
Meggitt Polymers & Composites
Composite engine and aerostructure components
Erlanger
Meritor Automotive, Inc.
Axle, brake and suspension solutions
Florence
Meyer Tool Inc.
Precision aircraft parts
Erlanger
Metal Solutions Design & Fabrication LLC
DOT certified metal containers for nuclear waste & other hazardous products
Dayton
Mila International Inc.
Surgical devices for pets
Florence
Mubea Inc.
Lightweight construction specialist providing heavy duty spring components and related products
Florence
Mubea Precision Springs Inc.
Transmission springs and hose clamps
Florence
National Band & Tag Co.
Poultry leg and wing bands, bands used for wildlife, ID tags
Newport
New Riff Distilling LLC
Craft distillery
Newport
Newly Weds Foods Inc.
Cracker and bread crumbs, batter mixes
Erlanger
Nor-Com Inc.
Communications systems and A/V integrator
Hebron
North American Stainless L.P.
Steel
Ghent
Novolex
Paper products
Florence
Nucor Steel Gallatin
Hot band coils
Ghent
Obara Corporation USA
Resistance welding equipment
Erlanger
Pamarco Global Graphics
Cylinder bases for printing and converting industries
Walton
Paul Michels & Sons Inc.
Asphalt paving compounds
Hebron
Pepsico
Snacks, foods and beverages
Erlanger
Perfetti van Melle
Airheads candy
Erlanger
P L Marketing Inc.
Kroger corporate branding products
Newport
PG LifeLink
Isolated power system design and manufacturer
Erlanger
Post Glover
Power resistors
Erlanger
Pratt Target Container Inc.
Corrugated “point of purchase” displays
Walton
Prestress Services Industries LLC
Precast & prestressed concrete products
Florence
Purestream Inc.
Sewage treatment equipment
Walton
R & R Design & Manufacturing
Conveyor & automation systems
Florence
R.A. Jones & Co.
Packaging machinery
Covington
Reis Concrete Products Inc
Ready-mixed concrete & precast septic tank; hauling
Alexandria
River Metals Recycling LLC
Scrap recycling
Fort Mitchell
Road ID
Road ID Bracelets
Fort Mitchell
Robert Bosch Automotive
Steering columns
Florence
Romi Machine Tools Ltd.
Industrial lathes, machine tools
Erlanger
Ronan Engineering Co.
Measuring equipment, radiation gauges and measuring instruments
Florence
Rotek Inc.
Roller bearings, slewing rings–large diameter
Florence
Round Paper Packages Inc.
Fiber cans, tubes and converted paper products
Erlanger
Safran Landing Systems
Carbon brakes for airplanes
Walton
F.N. Sheppard & Co. Inc.
Specialty belting
Erlanger
Sherwood Midwest LLC
Bedding, mattresses
Walton
Skilcraft
Surgical products, surgical device production, contract medical device manufacturing
Burlington
A.O. Smith Co.
Water heaters, boilers and storage tanks
Florence
Smyrna Ready Mix
Ready-mixed concrete
Wilder
Southern Graphic Systems
Packaging artwork production
Florence
SpecTape Inc.
Pressure sensitive tape
Erlanger
Starrag USA Inc.
Machine tools for milling, turning, boring and grinding
Hebron
Steinert US
Dry magnetic drum separator and sensor sorting solutions
Walton
Steinhauser Inc.
Packaging, pressure sensitive labels
Newport
Steinkamp Molding L.P.
3-D rubber/metal & plastic injection molds, blow molds, foam molds
Erlanger
Sterling Cut Glass
Contracts with the PGA Tour
Erlanger
Sterling Ventures LLC
Limestone mine, crushed stone
Verona
Stewart Iron Works
Ornamental iron fencing and gates
Erlanger
Studio Vertu
Italian marble products
Newport
Summit Fire Apparatus Inc.
Custom metal, aluminum and steel fabricating; welding and fire truck bodies
Edgewood
SWECO
Customized industrial separation equipment
Florence
Target Marketing Inc.
Publish foldout & map booklets
Florence
TeeSpring Inc.
Custom tee shirts
Hebron
Tente
Casters for hospital beds
Hebron
Thompson Enamel Inc.
Powdered glass colors
Bellevue
TMK IPSCO Tubulars Kentucky Inc.
Steel pipes for oil and gas industry
Wilder
TOPAS Advanced Polymers, Inc.
World’s leading maker of cyclic olefin copolymer
Florence
Total Display Solutions LLC
Re-manufactures LCD panels for computer video displays and television LCD panes
Erlanger
Toyota Boshoku America
Automotive interior systems
Erlanger
Trivaco
Specialty valves, actuators, actuation controls
Hebron
Tressa Inc.
Professional hair products
Erlanger
Trophy Awards Manufacturing Inc.
Awards, crystal awards, acrylic awards, trophies, plaques, corporate awards, gifts, promotional items
Wilder
Tyson/Hillshire Brands
Meat, primarily cocktail weenies
Alexandria
Paul Tuemler L.P. Gas Inc.
Propane gas service
Walton
The Schwan Food Company
Red Baron Pizza
Florence
US Playing Card Company
Playing cards
Erlanger
Valcom Enterprises Inc.
Custom commercial interior and exterior metal, and drywall partitions
Wilder
ViaCord
Umbilical cord preservation
Hebron
W B Jones Spring Co. Inc.
Compression, extension and torsion springs
Wilder
W J Baker Co.
Metal stampings and tubular spacers
Wilder
The Waddington Group
High-quality plastic, disposable cups, plates, cutlery, serving ware
Covington
Wagstaff
Capital equipment for molton aluminum industry
Hebron
Wild Flavors
Flavor technology
Erlanger
Wilder Hot Mix Asphalt Plant
Hot mix asphalt paving mixture, construction services
Wilder
Willow Ridge Plastics, Inc.
Oxobiodegradable additives for plastics
Erlanger
Wolf Steel USA Inc.
High end fireplaces, grills, HVAC
Crittenden
Zenith Motors
Electric shuttle and cargo vans
Wilder
ZF Boge Elastmetall
Transmissions, steering systems, axles
Hebron
Zotefoams, Inc.
Cross-linked block foams, world leader
Walton
The C.W. Zumbiel Company
Packaging
Hebron
Source: Northern Kentucky Tri-ED and Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. This list may not be exhaustive.
Add Comment