Business + Innovation

Linamar Corporation to undergo major expansion, adding 138 jobs in Northern Kentucky

By Newsroom

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October 28, 2011

Governor Steve Beshear joined community leaders and officials from Linamar Corporation to announce the company will make a significant investment in its Northern Kentucky operation. The company plans to purchase new equipment totaling $40.8 million and will more than double the size of its workforce, creating 138 new jobs. "The fact that Linamar has chosen to invest more than $40 million and double the size of its workforce in Northern Kentucky speaks volumes to the region's and the state's outstanding business climate," Gov. Beshear said. "The Commonwealth is pleased to partner with community leaders and Linamar to make this growth possible, bringing 138 new jobs to the citizens of Kentucky." Linamar manufactures and markets automotive parts and components. The company plans to add the new equipment to its existing 360,000-square-foot facility in order to produce engine components for both Ford and Chrysler. The equipment is expected to be installed immediately, with production up and running by January 2012. The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved Eagle Manufacturing, a division of Linamar, for tax incentives up to $4.5 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program to encourage the expansion. "We look forward to expanding our presence in the Northern Kentucky region, and we thank Gov. Beshear and Boone County officials who worked hard to help us create a plan that makes this expansion possible," said Linamar CEO Linda Hasenfratz. "Eagle Manufacturing will add capacity in our growing automotive business, and give us advanced manufacturing capabilities in an important region central to many of our customers." The performance-based incentive allows the company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets. "This expansion is a testimony to the resources that Boone County offers in terms of people and infrastructure," said Sen. John Schickel, of Union. "Linamar is a worldwide leader in auto components for manufacturers, thanks in large part to the men and women who work at their Northern Kentucky facility," said Rep. Sal Santoro, of Florence. "It's that commitment to our region and the Commonwealth as to why they chose this plant for expansion, which will create much needed jobs for Kentucky." New and existing companies have announced the creation of more than 4,100 new jobs in the tri-county Northern Kentucky region during Gov. Beshear's administration. These economic development projects represent more than $600 million capital investment in the Commonwealth. "Once again, Florence and Northern Kentucky prove that when a positive business climate is present, that includes a skilled workforce and a supportive community, private investment and job creation will follow," said Florence Mayor Diane E. Whalen. "I am pleased that Linamar has decided to invest in an expansion of their existing operations in Florence." "Some of our best job creators are existing industries," said Gary Moore, Boone County Judge-Executive and Northern Kentucky Tri-ED Executive Committee member. "I'm excited for Linamar as they bring additional jobs to Boone County. This is another example of partnerships among multiple agencies to create new jobs." Click here for more information.

Latest in Business + Innovation

Hundreds of workers sought at UPS facility

By Newsroom

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Business + Innovation

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October 28, 2011

UPS will expand in the Tri-state, creating 600 full-time jobs. The shipping company said business is booming at its facility near the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. "What's going on with the new accounts in this area is we are considered a hot spot," said Michelle Chavez, human resources manager. "People are really out there looking for jobs, and they are coming to us, and we are happy to accommodate." Read the full story here.

Gov. Beshear announces Johnson Controls to add 45 new jobs in Northern Kentucky

By Newsroom

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Business + Innovation

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October 28, 2011

Johnson Controls Inc. will expand its Northern Kentucky automotive battery operation, creating 45 new jobs. The company's $24.2 million investment will increase the plant's square footage to accommodate additional production lines and warehousing space. "Johnson Controls is a longstanding corporate citizen in the Commonwealth, employing thousands of Kentuckians in multiple locations across the state," Gov. Beshear said. "It is for this reason that we are pleased to partner with community leaders and Johnson Controls to make this job growth and investment possible, creating 45 new jobs in the Northern Kentucky area." Johnson Controls Power Solutions is a global leader in lead-acid starter batteries, advanced lead-acid batteries for Start-Stop vehicles, and lithium-ion batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles. Start-Stop is a technology applied to a standard gasoline-powered vehicle that automatically shuts the engine off during idle, reducing fuel use and emissions by 5 to 12 percent. The engine restarts when the driver engages the clutch or releases the brake pedal. The company, which currently employs 96 people in Florence, will convert approximately 60,000 square feet of existing warehouse space into manufacturing floor space. Construction is expected to be complete next spring. "The investment in our Kentucky facility will enable us to expand manufacturing of our patented PowerFrame grid technology, supporting the growth of Start-Stop vehicle technology in the United States,"said Allen Martin, vice president and general manager of the Americas for Johnson Controls Power Solutions. "We have a great history and presence here in Florence that we look forward to enhancing." To encourage the expansion, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority or KEDFA preliminarily approved Johnson Controls for tax incentives up to $1 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance- based incentive allows the company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets. KEDFA also approved Johnson Controls for tax benefits up to $105,000 through the Kentucky Enterprise Investment Act, which allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development, and electronic processing equipment. "Johnson Controls' decision to expand in Boone County is yet another stamp of approval on the outstanding workforce available from our community,"said Rep. Sal Santoro, of Florence. "The company's decision to invest more than $24 million and create 45 jobs is a reflection on Boone County's citizens and the high quality of life available to those who live and work in the region." "This development is great news for job seekers in Northern Kentucky,"said Sen. John Schickel, of Union. "We must continue to strive to recruit new businesses to Kentucky and give support to our existing businesses to keep Kentucky economically competitive." "The confirmation that Johnson Controls is going forward with an expansion at its Boone County facility is positive economic news for our county and the entire Northern Kentucky community,"said Gary Moore, Boone County Judge-Executive and Northern Kentucky Tri-ED Executive Committee member. "Johnson Controls has been operating in our area since 1967. The company's commitment to job growth, as well as significant capital investment is much appreciated." New and existing companies have announced the creation of nearly 4,200 new jobs in the tri-county Northern Kentucky region during Gov. Beshear's administration. These economic development projects represent a more than $641 million capital investment in the Commonwealth.

Growing company: BlueStar, Inc.

By Amy Elliott

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Business + Innovation

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October 28, 2011

BlueStar, Inc., located in Hebron, provides technological solutions that power the ease of everyday life and the efficiency of organizations, from scanners at the grocery store check-out to sophisticated inventory tracking systems and security tools that control access, like fingerprint readers and retina scanners.

Mazak goes global from Florence

By Newsroom

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Business + Innovation

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September 30, 2011

Mazak Corp. will begin exporting for the first time machine tools assembled at the company's U.S. headquarters in Florence to Japan, Europe and South America. The exports will begin next month, the company said Monday. Mazak is one of the largest machine tool builders in the nation, employing 600 in Florence and 800 at other sales and technical centers across North America. The Florence plant opened in 1974 and has been expanded more than 15 times to more than 600,000 square feet. Read the full story here.

Growth company: ZF Steering

By James Sprague

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Business + Innovation

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September 30, 2011

One of the world's leading innovators in vehicle steering technology is expanding its operation in Northern Kentucky -- and bringing new jobs along with it.

Rem-Brands chemical technology is a family affair

By Feoshia Henderson

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Business + Innovation

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June 24, 2011

Entrepreneurship and invention is a family affair for the Schneider family. Father Dr. Charles Schneider and son Dr. David Schneider have a combined 75 years of experience in specialty chemicals, and hold nearly 40 patents between them in chemical technologies. Both have extensive corporate and entrepreneurial experience, and in 2005 they founded a company that put those skills to use, so far with great success.Rem-Brands, with its tagline "Bonding Science with Business," is a Northern Kentucky-based chemical company that specializes in technologies related to odor and stain removal and disinfection applications.David and his father started the company while he was president and CEO of Iofina, a London Stock Exchange Company, which he helped take public before leaving to focus on Rem-Brands. Their technologies are used in household, commercial, industrial and agricultural applications. Among them are products that have been sold at Bed, Bath & Beyond, PetSmart and home shopping channel QVC. In the agricultural field, among their products is one that is sprayed on cows to keep germs from contaminating the milk before the milking process. Creating these types of technologies has long been a passion for both father and son, David said."This is something we've both done our whole lives, with protect (our technologies) with patents or keep trade secrets and take them and see where it can be used," he said.The company is based in Florence; the company has manufacturing, lab and office space. Most of the technological work is done by David or Charles. David's brother Michael Schneider is company EVP and COO, and also has an extensive chemical background."We design all of our own equipment and our own processes," David said. "Most of the work can be overseen by one or two people."Research and development is conducted in Florence, along with some product manufacturing. Larger manufacturing orders and packaging are outsourced to other companies, David said.The company has recently hired a sales and marketing director, financial advisor and business advisor. Rem-Brands is growing, and within the next year plans to expand into a larger facility. The company plans to stay local, but if growth demands it, could open a facility on the West Coast for logistical reasons sometime in the future, David said."I think this is a great location. Traditionally Cincinnati was one of the major areas for the chemical industry in the U.S. It's to a lesser extent now, but it's still a hub of chemical manufacturing, formulating and distribution. There are a lot of good minds still around," he said. Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Dr. David Schneider, co-founder Rem-BrandsYou can follow Feoshia on Twitter @feoshiawrites

Two Health IT companies setting up HQs in Newport, creating 20 new jobs

By Feoshia Henderson

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Business + Innovation

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June 24, 2011

Two health IT companies - one from Korea - are setting up North American HQs in Newport, creating a combined 20 new jobs in the process. The companies - Korean-based Arcron Systems Inc. and Meaningful Use Technologies, are moving into a 5,000 sq. ft. shared space with plans to invest $1 million in office upgrades. The companies are still working to find the most compatible space.

Audio: Bringing bio-tech to the Tri-State

By Northern Kentucky Tri-ED

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Business + Innovation

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June 24, 2011

A recent report on 91.7 WVXU's Cincinnati Edition explores Northern Kentucky's efforts to attract, cultivate and retain a flourishing life science corridor.

Northern Kentucky’s best-kept secret

By Amy Elliott

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Business + Innovation

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May 26, 2011

The surprising global reach of Northern Kentucky's music scene: from a state-of-the-art studio in Highland Heights to a website that's connecting musicians and attracting even Apple's attention.