Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear joined local officials and leadership at Toyota Boshoku America (TBA) to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s new, state-of-the-art $225 million facility in Hopkinsville creating 157 full-time Kentucky jobs.
“The future has never been brighter for the commonwealth’s manufacturing and automotive sectors,” said Gov. Beshear. “I am proud to be here today celebrating TBA and this incredible investment in Hopkinsville and the Western Kentucky region that is creating 157 new jobs for our people. This new facility marks an exciting next step for TBA and I want to thank the company’s leadership for their commitment to Kentucky and our workforce.”
The new facility, located on nearly 50 acres in Christian County, is officially TBA’s first “smart plant,” implementing technologies to create a more efficient and environmentally responsible operation. Last month, the facility began production of seat frame mechanism parts such as seat tracks, seat recliners and motors with gear.
“Today’s opening marks more than a new manufacturing facility – it reflects our commitment to innovation, resilience and long-term growth,” said Shunichi Iwamori, president & CEO of TBA. “Just as importantly, it strengthens our partnership with this community, where we are dedicated to creating opportunities and contributing to shared prosperity.”
Toyota Boshoku Corp., a global interior systems supplier and filter manufacturer, develops and produces interior, filtration and powertrain components. With its global headquarters in Kariya City, Japan, Toyota Boshoku is the parent company of TBA, which is based in Erlanger, Kentucky. TBA and its affiliates employ more than 14,000 team members in 23 locations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. The company manufactures automotive interior systems, which include seats, door trim, headliner, substrate and carpet, in addition to air and oil filters for a variety of customers, such as Toyota, BMW and Subaru. In Kentucky, the company currently operates three full production plants, located in Bardstown, Harrodsburg and Lebanon. With the completion of this plant, TBA will employ over 1,100 Kentuckians across five locations in the commonwealth.
Hopkinsville Mayor James Knight welcomed the company to the community: “The city of Hopkinsville is proud to be the New Kentucky Home for Toyota Boshoku in Western Kentucky. We welcome the company and its leadership to our growing manufacturing family, which includes 75 industries, 24 international companies and several Japanese automotive firms. As the company officially cuts the ribbon on its new facility, we reaffirm our full support and commitment to ensuring its long-term success in our community.”
Christian County Judge/Executive Jerry Gilliam noted the region’s continued economic momentum: “Christian County and the southwestern Kentucky region continue to see phenomenal growth due to the investment and job creation from companies like Toyota Boshoku America. We are thankful to the company and their leadership for their significant investment and creation of over 150 new, well-paying jobs as we officially celebrate the grand opening of their newest Kentucky facility. More importantly, we appreciate the company’s corporate culture and commitment to being a good neighbor. We look forward to generations of shared growth, success and mutual respect.”
Carter Hendricks, executive director of the Southwestern Kentucky Economic Development Council, highlighted the positive impact the investment will have on the community: “We are thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of TBA’s newest facility in Hopkinsville’s South Park. With their state-of-the-art investment and significant job creation, the company’s newest location is adding to the region’s growing manufacturing economy and creating transformational opportunities for regional residents and small businesses. We appreciate the leadership and support from Gov. Andy Beshear, Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary Jeff Noel, the Tennessee Valley Authority, City of Hopkinsville, Christian County government and our workforce, education and utility partners for their contribution and support during the process to build this incredible facility in our region.”