$800,000 investment will allow for equipment upgrades, increased capacity, create 10 full-time jobs

Release courtesy of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development

Today, Gov. Andy Beshear highlighted further momentum of the state’s manufacturing sector as automated machinery manufacturer Chism Machine and Gage Inc., doing business as Chism Automation, will expand its existing operation in Somerset with an $800,000 investment creating 10 full-time Kentucky jobs.

“Small, Kentucky-owned businesses help fuel our economy, and as they grow, expand and thrive in our communities, the commonwealth’s historic economic momentum will only continue,” said Gov. Beshear. “I want to congratulate Chism Automation’s leadership on this expansion and look forward to the company’s continued success in Pulaski County.”

The investment will allow leaders at Chism Automation to double the size of their current facility’s machine build area to 16,000 square feet. The increased space will help accommodate new equipment and growing business. The project will also include a massive increase in power supply, moving from a 480-volt, 3-phase, 400-amp service to a 2,000-amp service. This electrical increase will allow the operation to power multiple assembly lines filled with robots, motors and other automated machinery that require high power consumption. Chism Automation will add 10 full-time jobs through the investment, which will include engineering, technician and materials positions.

“We partner with our customers to provide a level of support that our competitors can’t or won’t provide and we do it quickly when needed,” said Kyle Chism, founder and president of Chism Automation. “We compete with Japanese, German and out-of-state automation groups that are great technically but can’t provide our level of local support. Customers that once came to us with one- and two-robot-sized projects are asking for assembly lines with five to 10 robots. We have managed a few of these types of projects with current resources but need more space, electrical power and staff to facilitate growth.”

Founded in October 2007, Chism Automation builds robotic applications and automated machinery for manufacturers, including the automotive industry. Chism Automation partners with world-class robot, vision and industrial component manufacturers, integrating cutting-edge technology and design processes to develop consistent, high-quality results. The company expanded to its current facility in Somerset in 2015 and has built over 100 automated applications and robotic projects since that time.

Pulaski County Judge-Executive Marshall Todd is excited to see the company help advance the community forward: “To have Chism Automation here locally and be so connected to the next frontier of advanced robotics, putting us at the forefront of an inevitable future, is an honor and a privilege. This administration believes in moving Pulaski County forward, and nothing represents that better than the robotics industry.”

Somerset Mayor Alan Keck commended the company for providing quality job opportunities in the area: “Kyle Chism is an entrepreneur through and through. It’s been amazing to watch his business flourish while providing opportunities for young engineers to stay in and move to our area. We are certainly grateful for his vision and execution and excited about his plans for growth.”

Chris Girdler, president and CEO of the Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority, highlighted the company’s growth and key role in the local community: “Kyle Chism is a great example of what a strong work ethic, good morals and an entrepreneurial spirit can produce. From meager beginnings, Chism Automation has grown into a leader in the robotics industry, and this upcoming expansion exemplifies his drive and the continuation of a homegrown success story. Kyle, his family and team members are an integral part of our community, and I’m so excited to see their continued prosperity. I greatly appreciate the Cabinet for Economic Development and their assistance to so many of our businessmen and women in Somerset and Pulaski County. We are continuing to see record growth in the Capital of Lake Cumberland, and it inspires us daily at SPEDA to keep pushing forward with our new economic development model.”

To encourage investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) today preliminarily approved a 15-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $200,000 in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of $800,000 and annual targets of:

• Creation and maintenance of 10 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 15 years; and
• Paying an average hourly wage of $36.10, including benefits across those jobs.

By meeting its annual targets over the agreement term, the company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.

In addition, Chism Automation can receive resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers. Those include no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives.

For more information on Chism Automation, visit chismautomation.com.