This is a news release from the Office of Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear’s office.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 26, 2021) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Chapin International Inc., a manufacturer of compressed air sprayers, plans to add 200 full-time jobs with an expansion of its recently opened Rockcastle County facility and a new location in Boyle County, two projects totaling nearly $16.7 million in new investment.
“Time is money for businesses growing in Kentucky, and Chapin International is setting a record pace for growth in the commonwealth,” Gov. Beshear said. “Last fall, I was proud of the effort at the state and local level to help Chapin establish its new home in Mount Vernon, and I am even more thrilled to see the company already announced new growth in the commonwealth. Chapin shares our vision to create quality jobs for Kentuckians for years to come, and I thank its leadership for believing in our state and our talented workforce for not one, but two significant new investments here.”
Chapin leaders will invest $8.25 million and create 100 jobs in Boyle County with the acquisition of a 496,000-square-foot facility on the South Danville Bypass. The company also will increase investment in its Mount Vernon operation to $13.9 million and double job creation at the facility to 200 full-time positions.
The company produces and distributes metal compressed air sprayers for a variety of uses, including industrial concrete sprayers, professional landscaper/contractor backpack sprayers, ATV sprayers, and specialty hose-end and handheld sprayers. Chapin’s growing Kentucky presence positions the company to better serve customers throughout North America.
Chapin announced the Rockcastle County location – its first in Kentucky – last September with an initial $5.5 million investment to create 100 full-time jobs. That announcement highlighted Kentucky’s speed to market strength, as the project came together in under 10 days, and the 175,000-square-foot facility in the Rockcastle Business Park began operation in late 2020.
“Chapin is excited to continue our growth in Kentucky. In just one year we have met our five-year employment goal of 100 people in Rockcastle County,” said Jim Campbell, CEO of Chapin Intentional. “The addition of another 500,000 square feet in Danville, Kentucky, will allow us to continue our growth at a quicker pace. Our Kentucky employees are proving to be the biggest asset to this new plant, with good attendance and a willingness to get the job done. We are accomplishing our goals ahead of schedule. With the help of these employees, we will be well positioned to strengthen our competitiveness and grow further in the global market.”
A subsidiary of Chapin Manufacturing Inc., Chapin International’s business dates back to 1884 when Ralph E. Chapin saw a need for improved containers for kerosene storage while working at a hardware store he operated with his brother-in-law in Oakfield, New York. Demand for the product led to the start of a manufacturing business in nearby Batavia, New York, which quickly expanded to produce 55-gallon storage tanks and pumps, and eventually compressed air sprayers and hand sprayers. The company’s headquarters has since grown to a 700,000-square-foot operation that produces thousands of sprayers each day with additional facilities in Michigan and Ohio, in addition to its recently established Kentucky location.
Chapin’s expanded presence in Kentucky will allow the company to better capitalize on the state’s strategic location to get products to consumers quickly. As the logistics center of the eastern U.S., the commonwealth is located within 600 miles of two-thirds of the nation’s population. Kentucky is home to three global air-cargo hubs, with 20 interstates and controlled-access parkways, over 2,600 miles of freight rail and more than 1,900 miles of navigable waterways.
Those logistical advantages help contribute to Kentucky being a major manufacturing center. Approximately 4,500 manufacturing facilities operate in the commonwealth, with nearly 260,000 current or announced jobs, accounting for one in six private-sector jobs. Kentucky ranks among the leading manufacturing states with more than 13% of its workforce in manufacturing, compared to 8.5% nationally, according to the National Association of Manufacturers.
Rockcastle County Judge/Executive Howell Holbrook said the job creation will greatly benefit the local region.
“Chapin began production at their Rockcastle County facility at the end of last year, and currently have approximately 100 employees,” Judge/Executive Holbrook said. “The plans to expand production in Rockcastle County will create roughly 100 new jobs. We are excited to see this kind of growth in our county and appreciate Chapin for being part of our community.”
Jeff VanHook, executive director of the Rockcastle County Industrial Development Authority, praised Chapin’s expansion plans.
“I appreciate the focus that the Cabinet for Economic Development staff devote daily to our communities to improve the quality of life for every citizen of this commonwealth. I can’t begin to express my gratitude to Chapin for the confidence shown in our region and the workforce of this great state over the past year,” VanHook said. “Many state and local leaders all worked together to push this project forward and clear or hurdle any potential barriers. I extend gratitude to the Governor’s office, legislators, cabinet leadership and staff, local and regional leaders and private partners that all played their roles in this announcement. It is an exceedingly happy outcome for our area, and the results of this highly collaborative effort will have substantial financial implications for local households, our state and onward into the world economy for many years.”
