Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear noted continued momentum of the state’s manufacturing sector as leaders at Halton, a leading maker of commercial kitchen ventilation and air distribution systems, announced a $7.4 million expansion of the company’s facility in Allen County, creating 60 full-time Kentucky jobs.
“We continue to see incredible growth and momentum within some of the largest industries in our great state,” said Gov. Beshear. “I am thrilled to see a company like Halton expand and grow its operation in Allen County and further strengthen Kentucky’s manufacturing sector. I look forward to Halton’s continued success in the commonwealth and want to thank its leadership as well as local and state officials who helped make this project a reality.”
The project will see the company expand its current manufacturing operation in Scottsville by 50,000 square feet, bringing its total operational space to 91,000 square feet. The added space will allow room for a research and development lab specifically for the air moving product line. The company will also add additional manufacturing space to allow for new product lines to support the overall growth of the business. The 60 full-time jobs created from the project will bring the company’s total Kentucky employment to 240.
“Kentucky has been a great home for our U.S. operations for more than 30 years,” said Mika Halttunen, chairman and owner of Halton Group. “We are excited to continue growing our team and facilities including setting up a new Innovation Hub and laboratory. This will enable us to provide the highest quality innovative air-handling products for the domestic U.S. commercial kitchen ventilation market and also to export those to rest of the Americas, Middle East and Asia Pacific.”
Halton was formed in Finland in 1969 by founder Seppo Halttunen. Over the last 50 years, the company has become a leading manufacturer of commercial kitchen ventilation and air distribution systems. The company invested heavily in research and development from an early stage, and as a result saw strong sales and growth in the domestic market. In 1982, the company’s first sales office was established in the U.S. and in 1989, U.S. operations expanded with new manufacturing facilities. In 2016, a new U.S. corporate headquarters for the company was established in Kentucky. In 2019, a second Kentucky-based manufacturing facility was opened to support the growing air-handling segment of the business.
This project adds to Kentucky’s thriving manufacturing sector, which includes more than 5,000 facilities and employs over 250,000 people statewide. Administration-to-date, more than 570 new location and expansion projects from manufacturers are expected to create nearly 29,000 full-time jobs with approximately $22 billion in new investments.
Allen County Judge/Executive Dennis Harper looks forward to the continued relationship between the company and community.
“We are truly honored that the Halton Co. has decided to expand their manufacturing in Allen County,” said Judge Harper. “This expansion will provide more jobs and allow more Allen Countians the opportunity to work here.”
Scottsville Mayor David Burch is excited to have a company like Halton stay and grow within Scottsville and Allen County.
“We are excited about Halton’s expansion,” said Mayor Burch, “especially given the positive partnership they have had with our local community over many years.”
Jordan Clarke, chairman of the Allen County-Scottsville Industrial Development Authority, looks forward to the impact the job opportunities from the project will have on the community.
“On behalf of the Allen County-Scottsville IDA, we are thrilled that Halton has selected their Allen Springs Industrial Park site for expansion,” said Clarke. “Halton is a terrific community partner, and we look forward to their employment growth for our community.”
Halton’s investment and planned job creation furthers recent economic momentum in the commonwealth, as the state builds back stronger from the effects of the pandemic.