Hansens Aluminum LLC , a company based out of South Africa, announced Thursday that they plan to build an $18.4 million manufacturing facility at the Henderson County Riverport.

 

"We're trying to open up to a broader market by being in Henderson," said Jared Pudney, Hansens' business development manager. "This is not the last announcement in Henderson for Hansens Aluminum. This is just phase one."

 

The aluminum extrusion facility, which includes a machining operation, will be up to 75,000 square feet and will supply customers throughout the U.S. and Mexico.

 

Working with Kyndle for more than a year, Hansens decided to build a facility in Henderson due to its central location and their ease working with Kyndle. Pudney referenced the other aluminum manufacturers in the region, such as Hydro Aluminum, along with the availability of gas and electricity providers. Pudney also cited the migration of automotive manufacturers from the north of the United States to the south, which made Henderson's central location appealing to Hansens.

 

"All our dealings with Kyndle have been great," said Pudney. "It was Kyndle's combination of efficiency and friendliness with their southern hospitality that really sold us on Henderson."

 

In a Kyndle press release, Pudney stated, "We see great opportunities to supply our existing customers from Kentucky and to add new clients. The Henderson operation will expand our global capacity and allow us to add new automotive products to our range. The support we have experienced at a local and state level from both elected officials and economic developers has truly exceptional. This certainly influenced our decision towards Kentucky."

 

According to Pudney, several of the 90 new jobs will be above minimum wage. Building in Henderson, Hansens will be the first direct investment from South Africa in Kentucky.

 

A third generation family business, Hansens exports machined components to automotive suppliers worldwide, including Germany, China and Mexico. The company produces more than 25 million anti-vibration and HVAC line fitting components annually. With the new Kentucky facility, Hansen will be able to produce a variety of other automotive parts they don't already offer.

 

"The incentives from the state of Kentucky were a key to us deciding to build here," said Pudney. "We were working with the government, as opposed to business against the government."

 

At the announcement, Frank Tate from the Kentucky Economic Cabinet stressed the importance of manufacturing jobs to the area and Kentucky and what the job announcement meant for the region.

 

"Our governor often notes manufacturing jobs form the backbone of America's economy," he said. "Those jobs are especially meaningful to Kentucky's economy. We haven't had a major manufacturing announcement here in Henderson in quite some time, so this announcement is going to be a great asset to us locally and to the whole state's economy."

 

Kyndle Vice President Donna Crooks, Judge-executive Brad Schneider, District 4 State Senator Dorsey Ridley, District 11 State Representative David Watkins and District 7 State Representative Suzanne Miles were among the others who spoke at the announcement.

 

"I want to share with you that we have a culture here of hardworking citizens who will make your company profitable," said Ridley.

Source : www.thegleaner.com