Kayser Automotive Expands Kentucky Presence

By Laura Calugar

Fulton, Ky.—Kayser Automotive Systems USA recently announced its plans to expand in Fulton, Ky. The company will move into a 60,000-square-foot building, currently occupied by MVP Group International, a designer and manufacturer of branded candles. Kayser’s expansion costs will add up to $26 million.

Kayser’s headquarters in Germany

Located at 910 Kentucky Ave. since 2013, Kayser Automotive Systems U.S. plans to hire 100 additional employees as it expands into a facility next door to its current plant in Fulton. The new building will allow Kayser to increase manufacturing and warehousing space for a variety of mechanical and passenger-cabin automotive parts. The facility is expected to open this spring.

“Due to fast increasing business, we outgrew our current facility and needed space to meet our customer’s demands. Expanding in Fulton not only enables us to be efficient using existing infrastructure, but also capitalizing on one of our most treasured assets, our dedicated employees,” said Stefan Schutte, Kayser Automotive Systems’ CEO, in a prepared statement.

Currently, the Fulton facility employs nearly 60 people to manufacture and assemble plastic injection-molded and metal parts. Products include fuel tank components, engine and under-hood parts as well vehicle interior components. In order to facilitate Kayser’s expansion, Charleston-based MVP will relocate its 69 employees to its nearby plant in Mayfield, where it will consolidate its manufacturing of scented candles. By moving its production resources to Mayfield, the company expects to increase efficiency while preserving jobs.

“This is a potential win for everyone involved. Having all of our resources under one roof will enable us to be more efficient and cost competitive, which is key in today’s environment,” said Rodney Bohannon, vice president & general manager of MVP Group.

To encourage investment and job growth in the region, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved Kayser for tax incentives up to $3 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program in July 2013. The authority also approved up to $40,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act.

Image courtesy of Kayser Automotive Systems GmbH