Japanese company has invested more than $180 million in its Kentucky operation
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (May 19, 2015) — Gov. Steve Beshear today joined company and local officials at Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products LLC (KAAP) to celebrate the company’s 10th anniversary in Bowling Green. The company’s leadership from Japan also participated in the event.
“Today is a celebration of success,” said Beshear. “Kobe Aluminum has grown in size and significance since establishing in Bowling Green 10 years ago. The company continues to be a crucial part of Kentucky’s thriving automotive industry and a source of quality jobs.”
Since establishing in Bowling Green in 2003, KAAP has invested more than $180 million in its Kentucky operations. The company, which has undergone five additional expansions over the past decade, currently employs almost 400 Kentuckians.
The need for lighter vehicles is expected to accelerate over the next decade as cars and light-duty trucks will be required to increase fuel efficiency to meet stronger Corporate Average Fuel Economy (or CAFE) standards. With demand anticipated to continue growing for aluminum suspensions, KAAP is working to gain more orders for its aluminum forged parts.
Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products LLC, a joint venture of Kobe Steel Ltd., Mitsui & Co. Ltd. and Toyota Tsusho Corporation. There are 13 Kobe Steel subsidiaries in the U.S. but the Bowling Green location is the only U.S. facility to forge.
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