Bredesen Welcomes PK USA
By Kitty Kulakowski
“We are pleased to welcome PK USA to Tennessee as a member of our growing family of automotive suppliers,” said Governor Phil Bredesen at the grand opening of PK Tennessee.
“In the last 15 months we have seen over a dozen automotive industry announcements in Tennessee and lots of ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings for suppliers. Adding 2,700 jobs, high quality jobs to the auto industry in the state. Today (Monday) we are taking a sufficient step in that regard. It gives me great pleasure to welcome PK USA to its new home in Gallatin,” Bredesen said.
The governor joined state, city, and county officials along with representatives from PK USA and Nissan North America in the opening of the 62,000 square foot plant. The plant, which will focus on metal-stamping technology producing chassis parts, body panels, and suspension parts for automotive companies, is located in the Gallatin Industry Center off Airport Road.
The company is in the process of hiring approximately 60 employees and should be in full production in about 60 to 90 days.
Hiroshige Kakudo, president and CEO of PK USA, extended a welcome to those attending the grand opening for the plant that started nineteen months ago.
“So many good things happened to us in such a short matter of time and today we see the results of that effort.
“We are very excited about this opportunity to expand into Tennessee, provide additional support to our primary customer, Nissan North America and be a good corporate citizen to our new community,” Kakudo said.
Kakudo also thanked the parent company for the gift of the cherry trees that have been planted around the plant site.
“As cherry plants grow, our new plant in Gallatin will continue to grow. I look forward to the continued good working relationship and thank each of you for the role you played in making this day possible,” Kakudo added.
Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matthew Kisber said this represented another achievement in the recruitment of high-quality jobs across the state.
“I am proud to say we have seen a lot of positive job growth and job creation activities in this area,” Kisber said. “With over 960 companies, representing one-third of Tennessee’s manufacturing employment, the automotive sector is critical to the state economic success.”
“Tennessee is continuing to build upon its reputation as the southern hub for a strong automotive industry. We are continuing to have success in recruiting companies, like PK USA, not only because of all the convenience and advantages that the state offers to the industry, but also due to the clear spirit of cooperation that state and local governments and economic development entities continues to display,” Kisber added.
Gallatin Mayor Don Wright expressed his appreciation to PK USA for locating in Gallatin.
“We appreciate the confidence PK USA has shown in our community by locating a state of the art manufacturing facility in Gallatin. The capital investment and jobs created by this location will be a great asset to our city.”
Sumner County Mayor Hank Thompson said the new Gallatin plant was PK USA’s sixth expansion since it began operations in December 1989.
“The key word in the opening remarks is that this is the sixth expansion and I am very proud the most recent expansion has been brought this company to Sumner County,” Thompson said. “PK USA is known for its strong commitment to research and development, ultramodern production techniques, an exceptional sense of responsibility to its customers and team members, a work environment geared to both the individual and the team, and a commitment to quality. They have been great to work with and we will look forward to what the future will bring for PK USA., Sumner County’s newest corporate neighbor.”
PK USA is based in Shelbyville, Ind., and has annual sales of $100 million. It is a supplier of metal body parts, chassis parts and plastic injection molded parts for automotive companies throughout North America and Europe.
Parent companies of a PK USA, Inc. are Press Kogyo Co. Ltd., one of Japan’s largest independent automotive parts manufactures, and Mitsui & Co., Ltd., one of the world’s largest trading companies.
