A world leader in sensor technology manufacturing with more than 50 years of experience, Balluff Inc. recently announced construction of a new, 48,000-square-foot U.S. headquarters in Independence, Kentucky.
Balluff's President and CEO Kent Howard spoke with Thrive about the forthcoming state-of-the-art customer support, training, and sales/marketing center, slated for completion in March 2014.
"The new facility will be a global showcase for the Balluff group," says Howard. "We will incorporate a high-tech look that reflects our global corporate image and ensures a healthy, comfortable environment for our employees, as demonstrated in the recent renovation we have just completed [at their current NKY location]. We are investigating the best ways to accomplish a zero-emission building … utilizing geothermal or solar for climate control, with an office layout that ensures that all employees have direct sunlight exposure."
Balluff is the U.S. subsidiary of Balluff GmbH, based in Neuhausen, Germany. The company's U.S. headquarters currently employs more than 150 people, and has been located in Independence since 1983, with expansions in 1994 and 2001.
The company expects to add 24 new, full-time resident jobs and invest $6 million as part of the expansion.
Asked what aspects of Northern Kentucky make the region ideal for Balluff's U.S. operations, Howard cited a strong manufacturing core, ease of transport via air and along the I-75 corridor, supportive state and local government, and a skilled, reliable workforce.
"We are very comfortable in NKY and our German parent views us as one of the most productive subsidiaries in the world," says Howard. "We expect to continue our annual double-digit growth, which should get us to $100M by 2016, and we are looking at a global production model that could mean more work for our facility in the future."
Balluff's relationship with the Northern Kentucky Tri-ED was an additional component for continued success in the region, according to Howard.
"We are big fans of Tri-ED; they have been great in helping us navigate the various government organizations to take advantage of business grants and incentives."
Source: Kent Howard, Balluff, Inc.
Writer: Hannah Purnell
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