German-based auto supplier moving to Murray, creating 120 full-time jobs | Community Spirit

MURRAY, KY (KFVS) - Gov. Steve Beshear joined company and local officials in Murray to announce Wednesday, January 16 that Kemmerich USA will establish a manufacturing operation and its U.S. headquarters in Calloway County.

The project, which brings 120 new, full-time jobs and a $12.2 million investment to the Commonwealth, is the second new location announcement by a German-owned company in Murray within the past two months. Gov. Beshear announced in late November that iwis will establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Murray, a project that also stemmed from the Governor’s trip to Europe in July.

“The good news keeps coming here in Murray, with yet another new company choosing to locate in this community and the Commonwealth,” Beshear said. “My recent visit to Europe helped build on our strong relationship with German-owned companies. In November, we had the privilege of welcoming iwis to the area. Now, we’re pleased to welcome Kemmerich, another company with a rich heritage in Germany. We’re especially proud to be chosen as the site for Kemmerich’s U.S. headquarters.”

Gov. Beshear said Kemmerich’s job creation and investment further strengthens Kentucky’s expanding automotive industry.

“We chose Murray after a lengthy search throughout the United States,” said Thomas Bergen, CEO of Kemmerich. “Three key factors were important to us: cost of production, workforce and logistics. We see that Murray offers lower costs of production, a highly flexible and qualified workforce and a favorable location. Our new plant will be strategically positioned to supply General Motors and Ford in the midwest, as well as Mercedes, BMW and Volkswagen in the south.”

To encourage the investment and job creation in Murray, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $3 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.

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