Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman joined local officials and leadership from Zotefoams Inc. to cut the ribbon on the $13.8 million expansion of the company’s North American headquarters in Walton. This year also represents Zotefoams’ 25th anniversary of its operations in Northern Kentucky.
“Continuing Kentucky’s historic economic momentum isn’t just about recruiting new companies, it’s also about supporting our longtime partners who have supported our people through good jobs and ongoing growth,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “This ribbon-cutting marks an exciting next step for Zotefoams, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary of operating in Walton this year. I want to thank Zotefoams and its leadership for their commitment to Kentucky, and I am looking forward to 25 more years of success.”
“The manufacturing industry is a crucial part of Kentucky’s economy and one of the state’s largest employers,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman. “I am thrilled to join Zotefoams to cut the ribbon on their recent expansion, which will set them up for future success and create quality jobs for Kentuckians. Congratulations to Zotefoams and the Northern Kentucky community on this wonderful milestone.”
The expansion enables the operation to become a full end-to-end manufacturing facility, increasing output by more than 20% and giving North American customers shorter lead times, greater supply chain independence and locally produced materials. The expansion of the facility also allows for the addition of a low-pressure autoclave and washer line. An additional extrusion line is expected to be operational this month, which will add two new jobs to the location and represent another $2.8 million in capital investment. The company’s foam materials are currently used by Boeing, Airbus and Nike, and since the company’s original expansion in 2015, the employee count has increased from 24 to 100.
The expansion was aided by the Bluegrass State Skills Corp. (BSSC), a program through the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic that provides incentives to support Kentucky business’ efforts to help new and existing employees stay competitive through flexible, employer-driven skills-upgrade training.
“This investment marks an important milestone for Zotefoams as we celebrate 25 years in Kentucky and continue to strengthen our presence in North America,” said Ronan Cox, Group CEO of Zotefoams plc. “By expanding our manufacturing capabilities in Walton, we are bringing production closer to our customers, improving responsiveness and creating a more resilient supply chain. The confidence we are demonstrating through this investment reflects the strength of our North American business, the dedication of our team and the long-term opportunities we see across the markets we serve. We are proud to continue investing in Walton and grateful for the support we have received from our employees, customers and partners throughout this journey.”
Zotefoams plc, parent company of Zotefoams Inc., is a world leader in high-performance foam technology delivering optimal material solutions for aerospace, automotive, defense, medical, industrial packaging and space application. Useing a variety of unique manufacturing processes, including environmentally friendly nitrogen expansion for lightweight AZOTE polyolefin and ZOTEK high-performance foams, Zotefoams sells to diverse markets worldwide. Zotefoams uses its own cellular materials to manufacture T-FIT advanced insulation for demanding industrial markets. Zotefoams is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with manufacturing sites in Croydon, United Kingdom; Kentucky; Brzeg, Poland (foam manufacture); Oklahoma (foam products manufacture and conversion); Anglesola and Burgos, Spain (foam manufacture); and Jiangsu Province, China (T-FIT).
Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann said Zotefoams’ expansion is yet another confirmation of Northern Kentucky’s long-term value for business investment. “Companies choose Northern Kentucky because our region offers the right combination of access, infrastructure and partnership. Zotefoams’ decision to further invest confirms those qualities. We thank Zotefoams for doubling down on its commitment to Northern Kentucky, and look forward to many more years of successful partnership to come.”
Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore thanked the company for expanding in Boone County: “Zotefoams’ expansion adds momentum to Boone County’s manufacturing economy and supports good-paying jobs for local residents. The company’s decision to grow here shows the strength of our workforce and the confidence employers have in Boone County as a place to make products, serve customers and invest for the long term.”
BE NKY Growth Partnership CEO Lee Crume said the company’s expansion underscores the importance of foreign direct investment in Northern Kentucky: “Foreign direct investment strengthens Northern Kentucky’s economy by bringing global companies, capital and innovation into our region. Zotefoams’ decision to expand its Walton operation shows that international manufacturers see Northern Kentucky as a strategic location for North American growth. We are proud to support a global company that continues to invest here and deepen its commitment to the region.”