Kentucky First Lady Britainy Beshear joined local officials and leadership from Artisans Inc. to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s new $8.4 million manufacturing facility in Lexington, a project that is creating 55 new jobs for Kentuckians.
“Today’s grand opening is another big win for our commonwealth’s robust manufacturing sector,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “This project is bringing great new job opportunities for Kentuckians in the Lexington region. I want to thank the leaders of Artisans Inc. for their commitment to our state and welcome them to their New Kentucky Home.”
“I’m excited to join Artisans Inc. and the Lexington community in celebrating the grand opening of this new facility, which will provide great new job opportunities for Kentucky families,” said First Lady Beshear. “Family-owned and -grown businesses are an important part of our commonwealth, and I know this team will be welcomed with open-arms as they make Lexington their new home. I am proud to welcome them and I look forward to celebrating their success for years to come.”
In early 2025, the company decided to close its facility in rural Wisconsin and consolidate with its existing location in Lexington. Almost two years later, Artisans is fully operational at its new facility on Mercer Road, offering decorated apparel for resorts, colleges and schools and retail shops across the country.
“What began as a family business in rural Wisconsin more than 60 years ago, Artisans Inc. has always believed that our people are our greatest strength,” said Kyle Foster, president and CEO of Artisans. “As a 100% employee-owned company, this investment in Lexington is an investment in our employee-owners and in the future of our business. We’re grateful for the warm welcome and support we’ve received from state and local leaders here in the Bluegrass State and look forward to becoming an active member of the Lexington community while creating quality jobs for years to come.”
Artisans Inc. was founded on a family dairy farm in Glen Flora, Wisconsin, in 1963 by Orlo and Bernice Dukerschein. The fledgling operation was simply Orlo, Bernice and their six children screen printing T-shirts, sweatshirts, ribbons, buttons, decals, emblems and banners. By 1991, the company had outgrown its location on the family property and built a production plant in Glen Flora, and by 2000 had expanded to a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. Fast forward though decades of growth and success to 2017, when then-owners Bev and Gordie Dukerschein, ready for retirement, sold the company to their employees under an ESOP structure, making Artisans Inc. a 100% employee-owned enterprise.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton spoke on the opportunities this project will create: “We are excited to welcome Artisans Inc. to Lexington and to celebrate the opportunities this investment will create for our community. Attracting businesses like Artisans Inc. signals that Lexington is open for business and reflects the confidence companies have in our city. The company’s presence in Lexington will create high-quality jobs for our talented workforce, while further strengthening and diversifying our local economy.”
Nick Nicholson, Commerce Lexington’s 2026 Board Chair, welcomed the company to its new home: “We are excited to welcome Artisans Inc. to their new home in the greater Lexington region. Manufacturing is one of Commerce Lexington’s strategic targets, and this new facility in Fayette County further strengthens a key sector of our economy. We look forward to working with the team at Artisans Inc. to ensure they have the resources to be successful.”