By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
With a traditional Japanese Sake Barrel Ceremony for good fortune, Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc., in partnership with Kubota Corporation, announced the grand opening of its new Construction Equipment (CE) Facility in south Salina.
Local, state, federal, and international dignitaries, as well as Great Plains employees, were on hand Friday morning to help celebrate the grand opening of the facility in the former Signify/Philips Lighting plant on South Ninth Street.
"With this 750,000 square foot space, when it became ours, we immediately began the process of changing this facility from making lightbulbs to manufacturing construction equipment. In about 15 months, our team did just that," said Linda Salem, president and CEO of Great Plains Manufacturing.
She noted that the building had gone through demolition, remodeling, and rebuilding, in addition to setting up all the equipment it takes to manufacture the SVL65 compact track loader.
"Employees learned the manufacturing process necessary for success, and installed the systems needed to support it," Salem said. "I want to give a huge thank you to everyone who had a hand into turning this building into exactly what was needed for it to be a successful manufacturing facility."
Salem said the company's Phase 1 investment in the project was $53 million, with a $124 million investment in Phase 2, which includes the installation of an automotive grade ecosystem - a paint system - with two paint lines, one for powder and one for liquid application. Additionally, the company plans to grow the assembly, welding, and fabrication areas to prepare for the next product to be built at the facility, she said.
"With these phases and increased production capacity, comes a growing workforce. Today, this facility has 157 employees. It will grow to over 190 when we reach our daily target production for the SVL65. Phase 2 will bring more jobs, as will Phase 3. Once fully operational and at capacity, we will have over 900 employees working at this facility, annually producing over 25,000 pieces of quality Kubota construction equipment," Salem said.
"On behalf of our Kubota Corporation, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to those who have been involved in launching GPM's construction equipment facility," said Yuichi Kitao, president and representative director of Kubota Corporation, who along with a number of other Kubota officials, traveled from Japan for the grand opening.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Lieutenant Governor David Toland were among the state official participating in the grand opening celebration. Kelly thanked the Great Plains and Kubota team for making this investment in Kansas.
Kelly also thanked all those from Salina who helped with the process of Great Plains Manufacturing establishing the facility at the southern end of the city.
"We could not be prouder of our state's growing relationship with Great Plains Manufacturing and Kubota which has already placed its confidence in Kansas as a great place to do business," Kelly said. "And we're particularly excited to see that commitment continue to grow as they announce the next phase of growth here in Salina. Together, we are building a brighter and more prosperous future for all of us who call the Sunflower State home."
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), who lended his support to the expansion project, also was on hand for the grand opening.
"Delighted to meet you Mr. Kitao this morning, and know that you have an ally in your efforts to grow your business in the United States," Moran said.
Moran also addressed the workers assembled for the grand opening ceremony.
"None of this in any part of Kansas can work unless we have individuals who roll up their sleeves, come to work every day, and make a difference, and we are delighted that Kansas has that kind of person," Moran said. "Our work ethic is known around the country and around the world, and you will find, Mr. Kitao and Kubota, that you have an excellent workforce in Salina, Kansas."
Moran continued, "So Mr. Kitao, I heard you say that you want your company to always stand by your customer. Mr. Kitao, my commitment to you and to the City of Salina and the State of Kansas, particularly here in central Kansas, is we will stand by Great Plains and Kubota, just as you stand by your customer to see that you're successful. We'll work with the State of Kansas on housing, on childcare, and on workforce training, and, as I indicated to you this morning, if we're successful in getting Republicans and Democrats to get their act together, we will pass legislation later this year that will provide additional money to the area technical schools in central Kansas to educate and train a workforce for this facility."
The event concluded with a ceremonial sake barrel opening. Dignitaries from Great Plains, Kubota, and local, state, and federal governments, participated in the Japanese tradition in which the lids of three sake barrels were broken using wooden mallets to represent the opening of good fortune.