New Mather Metals, Inc. recently celebrated the grand opening of its most recent expansion in Franklin, Ky. The significant expansion of its facility in the Sanders Industrial Park will add nearly 93 new jobs and represents an additional investment of $29 million in the commonwealth.

Specializing in the production of stabilizer bars for the automotive industry, New Mather Metals and its parent company, NHK Spring Co., Ltd, Japan's first producer of industrial springs, together have approximately a 20 percent share of the worldwide production of these products.

With the steady growth of the automotive business in North America and more specifically the Japanese transplant automakers, New Mather Metals determined it would be necessary to expand the capacity of its Franklin plant, which is centrally located to its customer base.

"It's been exciting to be a part of a growing progressive company with a great vision for the future," said Ryuji Yashiro, New Mather Metals President and COO. "We truly appreciate the support we've received from the state, our local leadership and the entire Franklin community in bringing this project to life."

New Mather Metals first announced its location in Simpson County in July 2001. The company's history of growth and expansion since being acquired by NHK Spring Co. in 1987 has continued here in Kentucky. NHK Spring Co. also has a subsidiary operation, NASCO, in Bowling Green, which produces suspension components and announced in July 2005, it would locate a new manufacturing facility in Louisville to produce small engine springs for the automotive industry. The Louisville facility is expected to be operational later this year.

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved the New Mather Metals expansion project for up to $2 million in tax benefits under the Kentucky Industrial Development Act (KIDA).

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