Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced another significant investment in Kentucky’s manufacturing industry as Midwest Equipment Manufacturing Inc. shared plans to invest $15 million to expand its operations in Maysville and create 66 new, skilled jobs.
“Kentucky’s thriving manufacturing sector has been an important component in our state’s recent economic momentum,” said Gov. Beshear. “We continue to see leaders in the manufacturing sector invest in the commonwealth and our communities, providing good-paying, quality job opportunities for Kentuckians, and this includes 66 new jobs being created by Midwest Equipment Manufacturing. I want to thank the company’s leaders for relocating and investing in Mason County, and I look forward to seeing their success in our New Kentucky Home.”
The company plans to expand operations at the Maysville facility, which will serve as a new hub for manufacturing and help alleviate labor shortages and production backlogs affecting other locations. The strategy includes continued production of existing product lines while relocating several key operations to Maysville. The Tru-Cut Mower product line and the 500 Series Brown Bear Composter will be moved from Thorntown, Indiana, to Maysville. Following that, the Trac Vac Lawn Vacuums, Tru-Cut Reel Mowers, Brown Bear Aerator, Broyhill Golf Course Equipment, Packer Brothers Plate Compactors, Power Tek Rental Wood Chipper, Load and Pack Refuse Equipment and Arrow Master Concrete Breaker product lines will also be transitioned to the new facility. Alongside these relocations, the Midwest Equipment Manufacturing team will focus on increasing sales of current product lines and introducing new products across both existing and relocated lines.
“We are excited to move the Tru-Cut Mower production to Maysville,” said Dan Kallevig, president of Tru-Cut Mowers. “I have been to Maysville a few times in the past few months, and I am very impressed with the kindness of the people I have met.”
Midwest Equipment Manufacturing is a family-owned enterprise led by Dan and Renee Kallevig, who bring together over 23 years of experience in the manufacturing industry. The company’s passion lies in building efficient processes and revitalizing American manufacturing. What began over 20 years ago as Packer Brothers Inc., primarily focused on the import of products from China and assembly in the United States, has evolved into a multifacility operation committed to production of high-quality, American-made equipment. Today, the Kallevigs operate three facilities – in Dakota City, Nebraska; Brooten, Minnesota; and Thorntown, Indiana.
Mason County Judge/Executive Owen McNeill showed his excitement for the project: “We are exceedingly thrilled with the Midwest Equipment Manufacturing project as their investment of $15 million and more than 60 additional jobs only continues to bolster Maysville’s and Mason County’s manufacturing footprint. More selfishly, I believe we’re even more excited for our friends with Wald LLC, as this will continue their 101-year run of manufacturing excellence, as well as bolster Downtown Maysville’s East End. I’m incredibly proud of IDA Director Tyler McHugh for his efforts, as well as Ashlee Chilton and our friends with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development for their continued support. We have enjoyed working with the Kallevigs and Midwest’s team and are looking forward to welcoming them to Maysville permanently. We greatly appreciate their investment in Maysville and Mason County Kentucky and look forward to proudly representing the home of Midwest Equipment Manufacturing’s multiple product lines.”
Maysville Mayor Debra L. Cotterill shared the overall community support for the project: “As part of the ongoing renaissance of residential and commercial activity in the city’s east end neighborhood, the city of Maysville is pleased to express its full support for the relocation of Midwest Equipment Manufacturing to Maysville. We remain committed to sustaining the positive momentum within our community and are excited to not only retain 16 valuable manufacturing jobs in our city but also welcome the creation of an additional 66 positions through Midwest Equipment Manufacturing’s expansion. Maysville and Mason County believe the company is an excellent fit for our community – both in terms of its economic impact and its alignment with the values of small-town living and a high quality of life.”
Tyler McHugh, executive director of the Maysville-Mason County Industrial Development Authority spoke on the impact the project will have on Maysville’s East End: “The relocation of Midwest Equipment Manufacturing to Maysville represents an important step in strengthening our community’s manufacturing base. Their investment of over $15 million and creation of more than 60 new jobs demonstrate confidence in Mason County’s workforce, infrastructure and quality of life. This project also reflects a significant reinvestment in our downtown East End and supports ongoing efforts to revitalize one of Maysville’s most historic manufacturing corridors. We’re proud to welcome the Kallevig family and Midwest Equipment team to our community and look forward to their long-term success here.”