By
Kitty Kulakowski Originally published Wednesday, June 18, 2003
Staff Writer
Officials broke ground Monday on an automotive parts manufacturing company
that will bring 50 new jobs to Gallatin.
“What started last fall as conceptional has all come together,” said
Earl Miller, vice president of PK USA, Inc., during ground breaking
ceremonies at the Gallatin Industrial Center.
PK USA, a Japanese auto parts company, is locating a 62,000-square-foot
facility on 10 acres in the city’s industrial park.
Miller extended thanks to the state of Tennessee, Sumner County and the
city of Gallatin for all the help in making the day a reality.
“Events like this don’t take place except when all work together,”
said Matt Kisber, Tennessee Commissioner of Economic and Community
Development.
“This is truly an exciting event. It goes without saying that we are
proud PK USA has chosen to locate a new automobile equipment manufacturing
facility at the Gallatin Industrial Center. Today’s announcement will
bring 50 high quality new jobs to this area setting a positive impact in
this community and bettering the quality of life for Gallatin and the
surrounding communities.
“This is a great win for Middle Tennessee and a great win for all of
Tennessee,” Kisber said.
Kisber said Tennessee leads the south and is fourth in the nation in
automobile production.
“There are more than 950 automobile suppliers calling our state home,”
he said.
Gallatin Mayor Don Wright welcomed the officials and associates of PK USA
to Gallatin, the new home of the company’s sixth expansion and third
manufacturing plant in the United States since 1989.
“It is our greatest desire that you feel welcome and comfortable as you
settle into our community. We welcome you into Gallatin,” Wright said.
Bill Kent, vice president of PK USA, Inc., said construction will begin
immediately on a $4.7 million plant in the Gallatin Industrial Center on
Airport Road. Construction is expected to be complete by December 2003.
The new Tennessee plant will produce and distribute automobile metal
assemblies.
Plans are to initially hire 50 employees, the great majority of which will
come from this area. Hiring is scheduled to begin after the first of next
year.
“We are very excited about this opportunity to expand into Tennessee and
provide additional support to our primary customer, Nissan North
America,” said Hiroshige Kaludo, president of PK USA.
Tommy Burns, executive director of Gallatin’s Economic Development
Agency said the company’s choice of Gallatin was a continued effort of
negotiations which started in October of 2002.
“We’re thankful and proud that PK had the confidence in Gallatin to
locate here. We’re excited about the opportunity PK brings to Gallatin
with a capital investment, job creation, and the international presence
they bring.
“We expect several expansions, and look forward to working with PK USA
in the future. This is a very exciting time for Gallatin when the national
economy is somewhat on a downturn we are able to successfully recruit an
industry of international presence. It is very rewarding to be able to
create new jobs for our local citizens,” Burns said.
Kent said the company was looking at seven or eight communities before
finally selecting Gallatin for its Tennessee plant.
“We were looking for a location near the Nissan facility. We are very
excited about locating in Gallatin,” Kent said.
The city of Gallatin has approved up to $30,000 and the county has
approved up to $25,000 for site improvements for the new company. The
amount the state will be contributing is not known at this time.
PK USA is based in Shelbyville, Ind., and has annual sales of $100
million. PK USA is a supplier of metal body parts, chassis parts and
plastic injection molded parts for automotive companies throughout North
America and Europe.
