Gov. Matt Bevin joined company and Nelson County officials as Takigawa Corp. America broke ground on its $46 million flexible packaging and high-performance films plant expected to create 180 jobs.
“Today represents an exciting moment for Takigawa, Nelson County and the commonwealth, as we continue to solidify our position as a prime location for investment in the food and beverage industry,” Gov. Bevin said. “This is another significant indication of our rapid progress toward creating the most favorable business climate in the country. We are grateful to Takigawa for their decision to locate in Kentucky and we know they will be a great asset to this wonderful community for many years to come.”
Takigawa announced in December it would build a 148,000-square-foot facility on an 18-acre greenfield site in Bardstown to keep pace with growing demand from its customers. Construction is expected to be complete in March 2019 with the plant opening in April 2019. The company’s first US operation will primarily provide packaging for national and international product brands.
A June meeting at the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington D.C. between Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary Terry Gill, Executive Officer Vivek Sarin and led to conversations about Kentucky’s suitability as a site for an American facility. Gill and Sarin followed up during a visit with company executives during a December trade mission to Japan.
“Breaking ground on our first U.S. facility is a significant step forward for Takigawa Corp. and one we are proud to take alongside the people of Kentucky and Bardstown,” said Hiroyuki Takigawa, president of Takigawa Corp. Japan. “We again want to thank those who worked hard to make this project possible. That kind of support makes us confident this will be a successful venture that benefits the people of Nelson and surrounding counties for many, many years to come.”
A family-run company since 1907, Takigawa pioneered production of polyethylene tubes in 1953 and started manufacturing high-grade gravure printed bags back in 1967. Industry leading research and development efforts earned the company a reputation for producing the highest quality laminations, films and proprietary color printing processes for cutting-edge flexible packaging. Takigawa’s wide range of bag formats and closure offerings established it as a top choice for an ever growing list of clients in large part because of their popularity with consumers. A few of the extensive list of innovative features include re-sealable and slide-lock packaging.
Takigawa built its first plant outside of Japan in 2011 with the construction of a facility in Vietnam. It also has sales offices in Canada, Europe, Singapore and California.
Sen. Jimmy Higdon, of Lebanon, said the company has already made a strong impression on the local community.
“I am pleased to congratulate Takigawa Corp. on the groundbreaking for its new investment here in Nelson County,” Sen. Higdon said. “Takigawa Corp. has already proven itself to be a great community and economic partner for our region, and I am excited for this company’s next step and continual success and growth in Bardstown and beyond.”
Rep. Chad McCoy, of Bardstown, said Takigawa is a welcome addition to the county’s other corporate mainstays.
“I’m thrilled that Takigawa is starting construction,” Rep. McCoy said. “Bardstown and Nelson County have been growing at a tremendous rate for the past few years and I’m confident that Takigawa will join the ranks of other companies, such as Tower Automotive and American Fuji Seal, as staples in Nelson County.”
Bardstown Mayor Dick Heaton said Takigawa was an excellent addition for a number of reasons.
“We are excited to welcome Takigawa to our growing portfolio of manufacturers in Bardstown and Nelson County,” Mayor Heaton said. “This company has a great record for quality and their commitment to the environment. Their high-tech packaging products brings diversity to our manufacturing sector that is very positive in the growing global economy that we serve from our many other plants.”
Nelson County Judge-Executive Dean Watts said Friday was a big day for area residents.
“What an exciting time for the citizens of Nelson County to celebrate the beginning of what will be many opportunities with our newest corporate citizen, Takigawa,” Judge-Executive Watts said.
To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in December 2017 preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $2 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.
Takigawa also can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. In fiscal year 2017, the Kentucky Skills Network provided training for more than 120,000 Kentuckians and 5,700 companies from a variety of industry sectors.
For more information on Takigawa, visit www.takigawa-corp.com/eng/index.html.
A detailed community profile of Nelson County can be viewed here.
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The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is the primary state agency responsible for encouraging new jobs and investment in the state. New capital investment announced in Kentucky in 2017 totaled a state record $9.2 billion, spurring more than 17,200 projected new jobs. Information on available industrial properties, workforce development assistance, incentive programs, community profiles, small business development and other economic development resources is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com.