By Kimberly Rossetti, Vice President of Economic Development for BE NKY Growth
Advanced Manufacturing is a thriving industry in Northern Kentucky and continues to draw in new companies every year.
In early 2022, an EY Target Industry Study named advanced manufacturing as one of four key industry sectors important to the momentum and growth potential in Northern Kentucky.
In 2022, BE NKY Growth Partnership won 19 projects, representing $292 million in capital investment. Advanced manufacturing led the four sectors in projects and capital investment.
NKY Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Brent Cooper said, although Northern Kentucky only represents about 20 percent of Greater Cincinnati’s population, it has 35 percent of the manufacturing jobs.
Northern Kentucky advanced manufacturing companies include both new additions, such as 80 Acres Farms, and many that have been in the region for decades, such as Flottweg Separation Technology and Bonfiglioli USA.
80 Acres Farms, an indoor, vertical farming company, recently opened a new Boone County facility that will more than double the company’s total production.
“We’re excited to be here,” said Kathy Quarles, Director of Talent Acquisition and Employee Development at 80 Acres Farms. “I think part of what makes it enticing is that manufacturers want to go where they’re wanted. From a state level, from a local level, I know at 80 Acres Farms, we have been welcomed with open arms.”
Flottweg is a manufacturer of centrifuges and other liquid-solid separation equipment. Flottweg President Dan Ellis said when the company moved to the area, they valued the central location, its resources, and the attractive cost of doing business.
Bonfiglioli USA designs, manufactures, and distributes a range of gearmotors, drive systems, planetary gearboxes, and inverters. Bonfiglioli USA President Greg Schulte said about 80 percent of their customer base in North America is located between a one-to-two-day shipping point from Northern Kentucky, and the company is still seeing the benefits of the decision to locate in Northern Kentucky.
“When we moved here 20 years ago, it was a good place for us to find good workers, and that still is, today, what we find, as well,” said Schulte. “The region offers good logistics, good workforce, a good place for us to be as a growing organization, which we’ve done quite rapidly over the last 20 years.”
Career opportunities are high-tech
These companies are working to change the narrative surrounding manufacturing and find different ways to connect with new employee populations.
Quarles said there is a preconceived notion that manufacturing is dangerous or dirty with no opportunities for growth, when it’s actually safe and clean, and there are opportunities for employee development.
At 80 Acres Farms, they utilize unique technology for growing their plants indoors, and employees work with high-tech software and hardware to make sure plants are growing correctly. Quarles said automation is utilized for labor-intensive work so people can perform higher-quality jobs.
“It’s actually really cool,” said Quarles. “You can do things with automation and robotics and data science, and this didn’t used to be a part of manufacturing in the past, but it is now, and we’re going to keep it that way.”
Ellis said he’d like to see a concentrated ad campaign that changes the public’s view on what is involved with trade jobs and manufacturing.
“I think 50 percent of the population would be completely surprised,” said Ellis.
Engaging the next generation
Schulte said the community needs to encourage young people to be okay with going into the trades and manufacturing work.
“The trades and manufacturing work are a wonderful environment in terms of pay, and also the actual workplace itself,” said Schulte.
These company leaders also said it’s important to introduce young people to these types of jobs from an early age.
Quarles said 80 Acres Farms is passionate about partnering with educators and building out skill sets that don’t exist today. She said they want to be part of that discussion and creating new curricula.
She said 80 Acres Farms would certainly be open to opportunities to work with organizations such as Ignite Institute.
Ellis said there is an extreme lack of trade workers in the country, and he thinks the only way to build it up is with true apprentice programs that are partially subsidized by local companies.
He said Flottweg internally discussed the possibility of getting involved with local education institutions and said the company is even open to helping partially fund a future program.
Schulte said Bonfiglioli USA is trying to “open the pie” in terms of where employees are coming from. He said it’s important to be open to giving people second chances and working to foster trades in our industries and in our communities.
Quarles said 80 Acres Farms is also tied into second-chance employment and willing to work to accommodate employees’ needs.
She said they are also focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. In Ohio, the company has partnered with the Citywide Hamilton Internship Program, which connects people of color to opportunities in their local communities, and Easterseals, an organization that supports individuals with disabilities.
Most importantly, they want employees who are passionate.
“We’re looking for company and culture fit,” said Quarles. “We’re looking for people who are curious and collaborative and resilient.”
Kimberly Rossetti is Vice President of Economic Development for BE NKY Growth Partnership. She leads BE NKY’s economic development team, which is focused on attracting new businesses to Northern Kentucky and helping our existing primary industry companies grow and expand.
