Home » Building components startup SteelBlue to create 146 jobs in Frankfort

Building components startup SteelBlue to create 146 jobs in Frankfort

FRANKFORT, Ky. — SteelBlue Building Components, a startup manufacturer of building components is making its home in Kentucky. The company announced last month that it will locate in Frankfort, creating 146 well-paying jobs with a nearly $17.7 million investment.

“I’m thrilled to see SteelBlue breathe new life into an existing facility in Frankfort and I can’t wait to see the operation up and running in the near future,” said Gov. Andy Beshear.

SteelBlue will locate in the existing 55,000-s.f. former Genesco shoe manufacturing facility on Hickory Drive in Frankfort. The facility will operate as the company’s primary manufacturing location of building components for the commercial construction industry. Company leaders noted the region’s central location within the U.S. market and access to key transportation components as major factors in the decision to locate in Franklin County. Jobs created at the facility will include machine operators, shipping personnel and various leadership and management positions. Work on the project is scheduled to begin in January and be completed by the end of 2022.

“We are excited about the opportunity to locate our company’s primary manufacturing facility in Franklin County, Kentucky,” said Rich Saginaw, president and CEO of SteelBlue. “Frankfort and the local workforce give us great optimism about the ability to accelerate our growth. Further, we are equally excited about the use of Kentucky’s logistics footprint to deliver exceptional customer service across the country.”

SteelBlue was formed in October 2021 by Rich Saginaw and Gary Brunette, who bring with them 50-plus years of combined experience within the building materials sector. In addition to building components, the startup company plans to produce additional commercial products that will add structural integrity to new projects and retrofitted commercial buildings.

SteelBlue adds to Kentucky’s manufacturing presence, which includes nearly 5,000 facilities that employ more than 250,000 people across the state.

Franklin County Judge-Executive Huston Wells said the project will help build the region’s reputation within the manufacturing sector.

“Companies like SteelBlue Building Components continue to invest in Frankfort because of our central location, excellent transportation system, world-class business climate and exceptional workforce,” Wells said.

Terri Bradshaw, president/CEO of Kentucky Capital Development Corp., looks forward to a successful partnership with SteelBlue.

“Leadership at SteelBlue has been phenomenal to work with throughout the development of this project,” Bradshaw said. “This project will not only create 146 new jobs and renovate a building that has been empty for decades but will also bring a new entrepreneurial excitement to Frankfort. We are honored they chose Frankfort as their new home and we look forward to watching their dream come to fruition in our community.”

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