Kentucky officials, community leaders and company executives gathered Tuesday to celebrate the grand opening of Toyota Boshoku Western Kentucky, a $225 million advanced manufacturing facility that will employ 157 people and produce seating components for the RAV4.
The company describes the new operation as “a state of the art manufacturing facility designed to support and inject the next generation of parts manufacturing,” adding that it operates “with advanced automation, data driven production systems, and a commitment to safety and quality at every step.” Leaders said the mission of the plant is “to produce high quality seating components that support regional customers and make Toyota Boshoku’s global supply network stronger.” According to the company, the facility now stands “fully capable… equipped with modern technology, guided by a strong culture, and powered by a dedicated team committed to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.”
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear called the plant a major milestone during a time of unprecedented economic momentum for the state. “Well, it is thrilling what’s going on in Kentucky right now,” he said. “While most states are starting to struggle, we are still thriving with announcement after announcement. 2025 will be in the top five years of economic development in our history.”
Beshear praised the decision to locate the plant in Hopkinsville and said growth across the state is creating opportunities closer to home for Kentuckians. “What I love is that jobs are coming to people instead of expecting people to travel or to move to jobs,” he said. He described Hopkinsville’s new facility as “one of the most state-of-the-art facilities of its kind in the entire world,” adding that “it’s going to be here for generations to come” and that advanced automation “disproves that automation eliminates jobs.”
The governor, who attended the 2023 groundbreaking, said ribbon cuttings represent the moment when investment becomes reality. “The announcement being hope, the groundbreaking being progress, but the ribbon cutting… it’s when it’s real to families. It’s when it’s real to Hopkinsville. It’s when it changes lives,” he said. “This is the moment we all work for.”
Hopkinsville Mayor James R. Knight Jr. said the company’s arrival represents a transformative step for the region. “In 2023, they had a dream to come to Hopkinsville, and they did, and they made it come to fruition,” he said. “We’re celebrating… a $225 million investment, 157 jobs. Our community is a smart facility, and our future is bright in Hopkinsville with this company.”
Knight said Toyota Boshoku’s choice of Hopkinsville signals strong confidence in the local workforce. “Toyota could have chosen anywhere, but they chose Hopkinsville, and we thank you,” he said. “You chose the people of Hopkinsville for their work ethic, and we’re grateful for that.” He added that the development “gives our young people a reason to stay here, and it helps the community grow.”
Kentucky Economic Development Secretary Jeff Noel said the opening represents “a celebration of commitments delivered.” He thanked local and state leaders and compared the community’s unity to the spirit of the film It’s a Wonderful Life. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re here to celebrate a remarkable project by a remarkable company, done by remarkable people, but most importantly, in a remarkable community,” he said.
International leadership from the parent company also emphasized the significance of the new facility. Masayoshi Shirayanagi, president and CEO of Toyota Boshoku Corporation, said he envisioned the plant leading global automation advancements within the company. “By mid-2024, we completed construction of TBWK’s smart plan and introduced advanced technologies such as vision-equipped robots and automated storage and retrieval systems,” he said. “These innovations show our strong commitment to sustainable community-based operations that bring value to Hopkinsville and to the wider Kentucky region.”
Shirayanagi said the company has already hired and trained more than 112 team members and will continue integrating technology to improve efficiency. He also presented a gift featuring a quote from founder Sakichi Toyoda: “Open the door. It’s a big world out there.”
Shunichi Iwamori, president and CEO of Toyota Boshoku America, said the plant embodies the future of manufacturing. “This plant is the future of manufacturing. It will bring new, good jobs. And a chance for the people to learn and grow,” he said. “More than just jobs, this is a place where new ideas and technology help people and this community.”
Yoshiyuki Ando, president of Toyota Boshoku Western Kentucky, thanked state and local officials for supporting the company through the challenging launch of a new operation. “Since our founding and throughout our first year in this facility, TBWK has faced many challenges,” he said. “But with the strong support of Toyota Workshop America and the dedication of every team member, we have reached this important milestone together.”
Ando said the company’s greatest strength is its people. “We are diverse teams, experienced members and new members working together, united to a shared value,” he said. He pledged the organization would continue prioritizing safety, quality and community trust. “We will always prioritize safety, delivery, high quality products, honor our commitment, and strive to become a company loved by the community and trusted across North America.”
Beshear closed his remarks by emphasizing Kentucky’s unity and optimism. “We have a country shrouded in pessimism, but we are optimistic in Kentucky,” he said. “There’s nothing Democrat or Republican about a good job.” He added, “Remember, life’s short. Our job is to do good things and to be kind to each other.”
