(WKYT) – Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky has 9 million square feet on 1,300 acres with about 10,000 employees. After 40 years it still continues to grow.
What’s new: production of a new RAV-4 hybrid, in about three years or less a new advanced paint facility and money invested into BCTC to get the next generation of workers ready for new age manufacturing jobs.
The plant is also seeing a resource leave — its president is retiring.
RAV-4 hybrid production begins
On a rainy Monday morning, Toyota team members make a smooth path for dignitaries to attend several key announcements.
“Our Kentucky plant is expanding Toyota’s U.S. North American footprint with the start of production of the new RAV-4 hybrid,” said Chad Miller, Toyota Kentucky vice president of manufacturing business operations.
The auto company said the RAV-4 is Toyota’s number one selling vehicle.
“It is safe to say that production on this car has started today because the cars that we are building today are sellable cars that we will ship to dealers,” said Kerry Creech, TMMK president.
Creech said the new RAV-4 hybrid and the new Highlander will create about 150 new jobs.
New paint facility to reduce emissions
And the company announces a new advanced paint facility. The new paint shop will reduce carbon emission by 30%. That building is scheduled to take off in March 2029.
“This new shop is designed to increase efficiency, flexibility and further minimize environmental impact,” said David Vance, project leader for the new paint facility.
Investment in workforce training
And Toyota pours money into the community.
“A new workforce training center with a gift of $500,000,” Creech said.
Investing into BCTC as the school helps train students to become employees in advanced manufacturing and other fields.
“And this significant donation is taking it up to another level to go where it goes beyond the traditional classroom into a workforce training center that is 100% dedicated to training needs,” said Greg Feeney, chancellor and CEO of BCTC.
President retires after 36 years
For the company this is exciting news. On the other hand, this is TMMK President Kerry Creech’s last week at work. He’s retiring after 36 and a half years. He started his career on the production line.
“My biggest concern is helping people’s career grow so they can experience the same things I’ve experienced. That’s the legacy I want to leave and hopefully I’ve left it,” Creech said.
But before he leaves, one last footnote on an almost four-decade career — Gov. Beshear makes TMMK President Creech a Kentucky Colonel.
Creech took on the role as president in July 2023.