Japan-based packaging manufacturer Takigawa has broken ground on its $46m flexible packaging and high-performance films plant in Nelson County, Kentucky, in the US.
The new 148,000ft² facility, which is expected to create 180 jobs, will be built on an 18-acre site in Bardstown.
Kentucky Governor Bevin said: “Today represents an exciting moment for Takigawa, Nelson County and the commonwealth, as we continue to solidify our position as a prime location for investment in the food and beverage industry.
“This is another significant indication of our rapid progress toward creating the most favorable business climate in the country.”
Construction on the facility, which is intended to keep pace with growing demand from its customers for Takigawa, is planned to be completed in March 2019 with commissioning scheduled in April 2019.
The company’s first US operation will primarily provide packaging for national and international product brands.
Takigawa, which opened its first plant outside of Japan in 2011, is also constructing a facility in Vietnam. It has sales offices in Canada, Europe, Singapore and California, US.
Takigawa president Hiroyuki Takigawa said: “Breaking ground on our first U.S. facility is a significant step forward for Takigawa Corp. and one we are proud to take alongside the people of Kentucky and Bardstown.”
Takigawa is engaged in production of polyethylene tubes, high-grade gravure printed bags and as well as laminations, films and proprietary color printing processes for cutting-edge flexible packaging.
In December 2017, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $2m through the Kentucky Business Investment program, in a bid to encourage the investment and job growth in the community.
Bardstown Mayor Dick Heaton said: “This company has a great record for quality and their commitment to the environment.
“Their high-tech packaging products brings diversity to our manufacturing sector that is very positive in the growing global economy that we serve from our many other plants.”
