STANFORD, KY – A Somerset native is now the president of Lincoln County’s largest manufacturer.
For 17 years, Jordan Dick worked confidently and consistently in several different positions at Lincoln Manufacturing USA, LLC (LML). He learned everything he could about the manufacturer, first as human resources director and later as general manager and acquired the skills he needed to run the 30-year-old business.
So, when longtime owner and founder Masato Sugimura decided to retire and return to his native Japan, he began tutoring Dick to ensure the metal stamping company’s successful legacy continued in Stanford.
The father of two says he feels blessed to be part of the successful automotive Tier 2 stamping facility and to have learned from its founder, Sugimura.
“Owning a business has been my dream since I was a kid,” Dick said. “Mr. Sugimura built something special here and prepared me to carry it forward. I love LML with all my heart, and my promise is simple: we’re going to protect these jobs and take this company higher than it’s ever been.”
LML currently produces parts for several Tier 1 automotive customers whose operations span across Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, Illinois, Tennessee, Canada, and Mexico. LML’s parts are used by numerous OEMs across the automotive industry, including Toyota, Honda, Ford Motor Company, General Motors and more. Many of LML’s customers have been with the company since its founding in 1995.
The Stanford-based manufacturer employs more than 100 men and women from across southern Kentucky. Together, they manage the operation of 14 presses ranging from 45 to 1,200 tons at the 70,000 square-foot facility.
When Dick walks the LML floor, he not only sees the faces of the hard-working employees who keep the company running but also recognizes those hired more than a decade ago. For some, he remembers their hire date; for others, he sees their families; and even more, he knows any struggles they may have encountered during their employment there.
“None of this would have been possible without the incredible men and women on our production floor and in our office,” said Dick. “They’ve shown up every single day for 30 years and made LML what it is. My No.1 job now is to make sure they’re proud to keep showing up for the next 30.”
Sugimura says no one is more prepared to take over LML’s leadership than Dick.
“I founded Lincoln Manufacturing 30 years ago with a vision for quality and community,” he said. “After careful preparation, I’m proud to pass the leadership to Jordan Dick, who has the heart, experience, and dedication to carry our legacy forward for Lincoln County.
It’s those employees who have worked for LML since the beginning that will benefit most from the successful transition.
Gary Lanham, one of Lincoln Manufacturing USA’s first press operators, was hired by Sugimura in 1995. As part of the original dozen or so employees, the Lincoln County native joined when the plant was just starting out with a single customer.
Today, LML has grown to employ over 100 people and supply customers all across North America -and Gary is still making an excellent product at Press No. 1.
He has trained dozens of operators, contributed to every plant expansion, and established himself as the trusted authority for testing dies and setups, Dick said.
“Gary is the soul of this place,” says new owner Dick. “If Gary says it’ll work on the floor, it works.”
Three decades later, Lanham continues to clock in at the facility he helped build into Lincoln County’s largest manufacturer.
Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corp. (SKED) has a 30-year history with LML.
In fact, retired SKED Executive Director, Greg Jones, recruited the company to Lincoln County in 1995. Since then, SKED has worked with LML through several expansions, funded key equipment purchases, and as a participant in its Supplier Education & Economic Development (SEED) program.
So, when Dick and Sugimura began the transition of leadership, SKED was called on to lead the funding aspect.
“SKED has been a key partner since our founding and played a vital role in enabling this seamless handover,” Sugimura said.
Dick says it’s SKED’s mission of job creation and proven community investment that made it the perfect lender to oversee the transition.
“I can’t say enough about SKED,” Dick said. “They helped us get off the ground in 1995 with financing for our original facility, backed us through every expansion, and stepped up again in 2025 to make my ownership transition possible. SKED doesn’t just support businesses – they invest in people and places like Lincoln County, and that’s made all the difference for LML.”
SKED Executive Director Brett Traver has continued the decades-long relationship with the company and its owner since he joined SKED in 2014.
“It means a lot to be able to walk through the Lincoln facility and see the legacy Mr. Sugimura is passing on,” Traver said. “Everyone at SKED is proud of the role we’ve played in that legacy. I’m confident Jordan will continue to build that legacy.”
Director of Lending Bob Burgess worked closely with Dick and Sugimura to ensure a seamless business transition.
“This was exactly the kind of business evolution SKED exists to support,” said Burgess. “Jordan understands this company from the ground up – its people, its customers and its importance to Lincoln County. Our role was to structure financing that allowed this business to remain locally led, protect more than 100 manufacturing jobs, and ensure the legacy built over the past 30 years continues for decades to come.”
To learn more about LML, visit https://www.lincolnmfg.com/.
