Boyle County Manufacturing Benefits from Strong Schools, Strong Workforce
Although the manufacturing sector has taken some hits nationally in recent years‚ the strong industrial base in Danville and Boyle County has managed not only to survive but to thrive‚ with some companies adding product lines or expanding facilities over the past year.
Danville’s central location‚ a good technical-education system‚ and an eager and industrious workforce are all factors in the manufacturing success story‚ says Joe Gibson‚ president of the Boyle County Industrial Foundation. “We’ve been fortunate to have some very strong firms here that have kept us going.”
One of the stellar performers has been Dana Corp.‚ which makes gaskets for the automotive industry and recently added 200 jobs and doubled its floor space in a $3 million expansion‚ Gibson says. “They are leading the way in the manufacture of a new‚ state-of-the-art metal gasket that replaces the old technology.”
Boyle County “has been a wonderful community to do business in‚” says Dana Plant Manager Crista Stamper. “We are able to attract qualified candidates to this area for employment because of what the community offers our team members in schools‚ cultural activities and housing opportunities.”
Gibson says the presence of Central Kentucky Technical College and an outstanding high school industrial-education program have boosted the area’s manufacturing success.
John Winkler‚ plant manager for Phillips Lighting Co.‚ agrees. “The technical college was very instrumental in helping us establish job requirements and testing as part of our recent expansion‚ and we are working with them right now on a training program‚” Winkler says. “We are very pleased with the whole relationship.”
The Phillips facility‚ which employs about 230 people making glass bulbs and fluorescent tubing‚ opened in 1952 as Corning Glass Works‚ making it the first major manufacturing plant in the area.
Winkler says that in addition to the strong education system‚ relatively cheap sources of electricity and proximity to raw materials – particularly sand mines – have benefited the company. “But at this point‚ probably our strongest asset is the workforce‚” he says. “We have a very strong experience with glassmaking here‚ and our people really know what they are doing.”
Another plant that has upped production – and jobs – is the Caterpillar Inc. Track Components Division‚ which manufactures construction equipment undercarriage pins‚ bushings and track components. The plant is working 24/7 for the first time as demand for its products is up 40 percent from a year earlier‚ Gibson says. “They’ve got a very high-tech operation and have been doing very well.”
Gibson says he also is working with several other manufacturers planning expansions in the near future.
Stamper says the sector’s growth has been bolstered by strong support from Boyle County and the Industrial Foundation. “They met [Dana Corp.’s] needs when we were expanding and also offered guidance with zoning and environmental laws‚” she says. “The foundation allows our leaders to benchmark our operations within our community and share information regarding things like health care‚ changes in employment laws and taxes.”
