Contact:
Jessica M.L. Thompson, Communications Director
270-781-3200; jessica@bgchamber.com
BOWLING GREEN, KY – Cannon Automotive Solutions, Inc. held the grand opening ceremony for its Bowling Green location at the Kentucky Transpark today. The ceremony, led by the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, included local officials and community leaders who expressed their appreciation to Cannon for its commitment to the region’s economy.
"We are pleased to join the South Central Kentucky community in celebrating the opening of this new facility. Cannon Automotive Solutions is a welcome addition to the Commonwealth's business community and we pledge our support to help ensure both success for the company and long-term employment for area residents,” said Commissioner J.R. Wilhite of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.
An affiliate of the Electromac Group, Cannon located its newest manufacturing operation on approximately 14 acres of the Kentucky Transpark. The 59,500-square-feet facility is a $13.1 million investment and will create up to 100 full-time jobs during its first five years of operation. The facility will manufacture individual component stampings for frames to be installed in the 2009 next generation Ford F-150 pickup truck.
“The State of Kentucky, and particularly the community of Bowling Green has proven to be an excellent choice for a base of operations along the emerging I65 manufacturing corridor. Although the timeline for the establishment and construction of our facility was very aggressive, the commitment of the leaders in the community demonstrated through their support and assistance during the planning and construction of our new state-of-the-art production stamping facility was critical
in the successful on-time launch of the new plant,” said Ronald Truant, vice president of The Electromac Group.
“The geographic location of Bowling Green provides convenient access to our customers in the central and southern states and is close enough for effective oversight by our management and engineering teams in Southwestern Ontario,” continued Truant.
The Electromac Group, established in 1955 in Windsor, Canada, is a single source supplier for turnkey tooling and production of metal stampings to the automotive industry. The company employs approximately 250 people at its five existing facilities in Canada and Michigan.
“Cannon Automotive Solutions has made a multi-million dollar investment in South Central Kentucky by locating their facility at the Kentucky Transpark,” said Warren County Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon. “Their investment provides our entire region with an outstanding opportunity for economic growth. We welcome Cannon with open arms and look forward to their long tenure in our region.”
“I’m proud to welcome Cannon Automotive Solutions to Bowling Green and our region,” said Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker. “Their facility is ideal for the Kentucky Transpark, and we’re excited to see what the future will bring for them here in South Central Kentucky. Their commitment to our region’s economic growth is to be commended.”
Cannon is the second manufacturing company to locate at the Kentucky Transpark in the past year. American Howa Kentucky, Inc. celebrated its grand opening in March 2008. According to data interpolated by the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, Cannon produces a total economic impact of more than $2.6 million each year in terms of direct, supplier and consumer revenues.
“The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to have recruited Cannon Automotive Solutions to the Kentucky Transpark,” said Chamber Board of Directors Chair Doug Gorman. “Their decision to locate here is a great success story for the Chamber—one that demonstrates the pay-off from our diligent recruiting efforts. We’re happy to welcome Cannon to the Transpark and our region.”
Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. As one of only 336 chambers nationwide to be accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those
in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.