Holley, racing and performance auto parts manufacturer, adding operations in Franklin

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 28, 2017) – Holley Performance Products Inc., a top name in automotive racing and performance parts manufacturing and marketing, will establish a $9.15 million facility in Franklin, creating 30 full-time jobs, Gov. Matt Bevin announced today.

“We are excited to see the economic impact of Holley Performance Products’ newest operation,” said Gov. Bevin. “Holley is a storied name in the American tradition of hotrods, drag racing, muscle cars and stock-car racing, and will be a great addition to Kentucky’s burgeoning automotive industry. Our administration, along with the Franklin community, are thrilled to welcome the additional jobs and investment Holley is bringing to the Commonwealth.”

Holley will locate a distribution operation in a leased, 200,000-s.f. building in Franklin, expected to open in early 2018. The operation will be about 20 miles from Holley’s corporate headquarters in Bowling Green.

The new facility brings the company’s total Kentucky employment to approximately 330. Holley in 1952 located its carburetor manufacturing plant in Bowling Green and moved by its corporate headquarters in 1993.

“We’ve been introducing innovative new product solutions that have driven growth in our business to the point that we are out of space in our current Bowling Green facility. This new location in Franklin will allow us to free up much needed floor space for more manufacturing production activities,” said Terry Rutledge, Holley’s senior vice president of operations.

Established by brothers George and Earl Holley in 1903, Holley is the world’s largest marketer and manufacturer of specialty products for racing and performance customers in the automotive aftermarket. Its products include performance fuel injection, fuel pumps, intake manifolds, ignition products, exhaust and many other products for street performance, race and marine applications. Recognizable Holley brands include MSD Ignition, Mr. Gasket, Accel Ignition, Weiand superchargers, NOS Nitrous Oxide Systems, Hooker Headers, Flowtech, Edge, Superchips, and Earl’s Performance Products, just to name a few. Holley carburetors and now fuel injection products have powered every NASCAR Sprint Cup team and nearly every NHRA Pro-Stock champion for the past four decades.

Kentucky’s automotive industry includes more than 500 facilities employing 100,000-plus people across the state. This year through August, the industry announced more than $3.9 billion in new facility investments and expansions, which are expected to create 3,100-plus full-time jobs.

Sen. David Givens, of Greensburg, noted the significance of the state’s auto industry in welcoming Holley to Simpson County.

“With a multimillion dollar investment and the creation of new jobs, Holley Performance Products’ location in Franklin is welcome news to our community,” Sen. Givens said. “The auto industry is a crucial part of Kentucky’s economic infrastructure, and I look forward to the company’s success in our state and beyond.”

Rep. Wilson Stone, of Scottsville, mentioned the company’s strong reputation throughout the auto industry.

“Holley Performance Products has long stood for excellence and has been a great corporate partner in the region for many years,” Rep. Stone said. “It means a lot to have it invest these millions of dollars in Franklin and to create these jobs. This is truly wonderful news.”

Franklin Mayor Ronnie Clark said the new arrival will have a positive impact on the local workforce.

“We are very pleased to have Holley Performance Products as a part of our community,” Mayor Clark said. “Holley is a nationally recognized name in the automotive industry and we are excited about their location in Franklin. Their new distribution facility will provide some excellent new jobs for our area. We certainly welcome them to Franklin.”

Simpson County Judge-Executive Jim Henderson expressed gratitude for the investment.

“I am really glad that Holley Performance Products has chosen Franklin and Simpson County for their distribution project,” Judge-Executive Henderson said. “Holley will be locating in our Sanders Interstate Industrial Park and will be providing some 30 new jobs for our community. We greatly appreciate the jobs and the investment that Holley is bringing to Simpson County.”

To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in September preliminarily approved Holley for tax incentives up to $600,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.

In addition, Holley can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. In fiscal 2017, the Kentucky Skills Network provided training for more than 120,000 Kentuckians and 5,700 companies from a variety of industry sectors.

For more information on Holley Performance Products, visit www.holley.com.

A detailed community profile for Simpson County can be viewed at http://bit.ly/SimpsonCo.