Business Facilities - February 2008 - (Page A-8)

Vehicles at various stages of construction on the assembly line at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky and equipment, as well as the engineering costs necessary to implement the modernization upgrades. These developments are only the latest reflection of the automobile’s importance to Kentucky. It was in 1913 that Henry Ford started a small factory at the Summers-Herman dealership in Louisville, and two years later Model Ts were rolling out of what was then a cutting-edge industrial facility at Third Street and Eastern Parkway. In 1955, Ford began operations at the modern Louisville Assembly Plant, and in 1969, production began at a separate facility, the Kentucky A-8 Truck Plant, on the east side of town. More than 6,700 people work for the two Ford plants. The expanded plant, now 4.6 million square feet, is the second-largest Ford assembly plant in North America. GM also has a major plant in Kentucky. In 1981, GM moved production of the Chevrolet Corvette from St. Louis, MO to Bowling Green, which still stands as the exclusive home of the iconic sports car. The plant’s 1,100 employees also build the Cadillac XLR luxury roadster. Toyota started production in Kentucky in 1988, and its $5 billion Georgetown complex is the company’s largest production facility outside Japan. With two vehicle production lines and a powertrain engine and axle facility, approximately 7,000 team members build more than 500,000 vehicles and over 500,000 engines each year. Toyota’s success in the state led it to choose Kentucky as its North American manufacturing headquarters in Erlanger and North American Parts Center in Hebron. Together these facilities employ nearly 1,800 additional people. Steve St. Angelo, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky and Senior VP of Toyota Engineering and Manufacturing North America, says Kentucky’s success can be attributed in part to its can-do spirit and dedication. “When Toyota came here 20 years ago, other people might have seen farmers, coal miners, or people working in grocery stores, but Toyota saw craftsmen, with skill, dedication, and hard work,” he says. “And it has been very evident that Toyota was right, by the results we’ve accomplished in Georgetown. This plant has won more JD Power quality awards than any other plant in the world, and they’re always raising the benchmark in quality. Our members have grown to be some of the most skillful auto makers in the world.” Discover Kentucky’s high-octane workforce for yourself, along with its innovative training programs, central location, great transportation system, financial incentives, and some of the nation’s lowest electric power costs by calling 800-626-2930 or online at www.thinkkentucky.com. Mississippi Charms Major Automotive Companies When Toyota decided to build its eighth North American automotive manufacturing facility, it chose Blue Spring, MS. The company broke ground on a 335-acre site in April 2007. The $1.3 billion facility will have the capacity to produce 150,000 Highlander SUVs annually. Toyota chose the state for its strong workforce. Toyota Manufacturing Executive Vice President Ray Tanguay said during the company’s February 2007 announcement: “On A S P E C I A L A D V E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N O F B U S I N E S S FA C I L I T I E S A N D WA R D ’ S A U T O W O R L D PHOTO CREDITS: TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING, KENTUCKY, INC. http://www.thinkkentucky.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Business Facilities - February 2008

Business Facilites - February 2008 Contents First Word Snapshots Corporate Moves: Texas Capturing the Creative Class Green with Energy Automotive Opportunities in a Green Economy Corporate Moves: Wyoming Metro Spotlight: Overland Park, KS Metro Spotlight: Long Island, NY Get Ahead in Alabama Indiana: Sending Tech Messages How to Successfully Negotiate a Lease in Today's Real Estate Environment Legislation Spurring Innovation in Kentucky New Center will Propel Ontario's Automotive Future Virginia's Vital Signs Eating Well in the North of France Advertiser Index Ask the Expert

Business Facilities - February 2008

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