A startup manufacturer of building components is making its home in Kentucky, as today Gov. Andy Beshear announced SteelBlue Building Components LLC will locate in Frankfort, creating 146 well-paying jobs with a nearly $17.7 million investment.
“I want to welcome SteelBlue Building Components to Kentucky and the Frankfort community,” Gov. Beshear said. “Our state’s diverse manufacturing base is one of our greatest strengths and this new company will be an ideal fit as we continue to grow and create quality jobs for Kentucky residents. I’m thrilled to see SteelBlue breathe new life into an existing facility in Frankfort and I can’t wait to see the operation up and running in the near future.”
SteelBlue will locate in the existing 55,000-square-foot former Genesco shoe manufacturing facility on Hickory Drive in Frankfort. The facility will operate as the company’s primary manufacturing location of building components for the commercial construction industry. Company leaders noted the region’s central location within the U.S. market and access to key transportation components as major factors in the decision to locate in Franklin County. Jobs created at the facility will include machine operators, shipping personnel and various leadership and management positions. Work on the project is scheduled to begin in January and be completed by the end of 2022.
“We are excited about the opportunity to locate our company’s primary manufacturing facility in Franklin County, Kentucky,” said Rich Saginaw, president and CEO of SteelBlue. “Frankfort and the local workforce give us great optimism about the ability to accelerate our growth. Further, we are equally excited about the use of Kentucky’s logistics footprint to deliver exceptional customer service across the country. We would also like to thank the Governor’s Office, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and Kentucky Capital Development Corp. for all of their assistance in making this opportunity a reality.”
SteelBlue was formed in October 2021 by Rich Saginaw and Gary Brunette, who bring with them 50-plus years of combined experience within the building materials sector. In addition to building components, the startup company plans to produce additional commercial products that will add structural integrity to new projects and retrofitted commercial buildings.
SteelBlue adds to Kentucky’s manufacturing presence, which includes nearly 5,000 facilities that employ more than 250,000 people across the state.
Franklin County Judge/Executive Huston Wells said the project will help build the region’s reputation within the manufacturing sector.
“Companies like SteelBlue Building Components continue to invest in Frankfort because of our central location, excellent transportation system, world-class business climate and exceptional workforce,” Judge/Executive Wells said. “This $17.7 million investment will bring countless opportunities for local families and will play a major role in Frankfort’s continued success in job growth and talent development in the manufacturing sector.”
Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson said the project will have a positive impact within the community.
“SteelBlue Building Components will be a wonderful addition to our community, and we welcome them with open arms. We share a recognition that Frankfort is a great place to invest and do business,” Mayor Wilkerson said. “Not only will SteelBlue create well over 100 local jobs, their nearly $18 million investment in the former Genesco shoe factory serves as a positive example of adaptive reuse within our city. Thanks to our partners in the Governor’s Office, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and Kentucky Capital Development Corp. for helping guide this project to our community.”
Terri Bradshaw, president/CEO of Kentucky Capital Development Corp., looks forward to a successful partnership with SteelBlue.