Center should create 140 jobs
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ/PRESS RELEASE) – On Monday, Governor Andy Beshear joined local Todd County leaders and Novelis executives to open the aluminum producer’s new recycling center in Guthrie, a investment of $365 million creating more than 100 jobs.
“I am very pleased to have the opportunity to participate in this groundbreaking ceremony today for a project that will create 140 quality jobs for Kentucky residents,” Governor Beshear said. “Novelis has grown rapidly in our state, and this new recycling center in Todd County underscores the company’s commitment to sustainability and job creation in the Commonwealth. I want to thank Novelis leaders for this latest long-term commitment to our incredible workforce.
According to the governor’s office, Novelis inaugurated its new sheet metal ingot casting, shredding and recycling center, which will serve the automotive market with an annual capacity of 240,000 tons. The new facility will be located near the company’s existing automotive refinish plant on Old Railroad Lane in Guthrie. Novelis executives expect the project to reduce the company’s carbon emissions by more than one million tons each year and allow the company to expand its auto recycling programs in North America. Using recycled aluminum as a feedstock requires only 5% of the energy used to make primary aluminum, eliminating 95% of the carbon emissions associated with production.
The new facility was announced in January, just over two months after Governor Beshear joined Novelis for the grand opening of the company’s automotive aluminum finishing plant in late October. According to the governor’s office, the initial phase included an investment of more than $300 million creating more than 150 jobs, including 100 Kentucky residents.
In addition to its operations in Todd County, the governor’s office reports that Novelis operates a 130-employee beverage can recycling facility in Berea that opened in 1989. The Madison County facility melts and sinks bullion from 20% of the nation’s recycled beverage cans. Novelis also owns Logan Aluminum, a joint venture with Tri-Arrows Aluminum Co., which is one of Russellville’s major employers.
“This innovation marks a major milestone in our ongoing commitment to sustainability and also supports our automotive customers’ carbon reduction goals,” said Tom Boney, executive vice president and president of Novelis North America. “The Commonwealth of Kentucky continues to be a great partner for us, and we’re proud to build on Kentucky’s rich 40-year history of aluminum recycling. We look forward to deepening our relationships to ensure that our facility has a lasting and beneficial impact in the region.
According to the governor’s office, Atlanta-based Novelis is the world’s largest aluminum recycler and the leading producer of flat-rolled aluminum, with 33 advanced rolling and recycling facilities in nine countries across North America and South, Europe and Asia. The company employs approximately 14,650 people worldwide. More than 225 vehicle models are fitted with Novelis aluminum and the company’s products are also used to manufacture a variety of products including beverage cans, aircraft, computers, cell phones, flexible tubing, sleeves insulation, license plates and architectural products, such as roller shutters, awnings. , roofs, gutters, facades and sandwich panels.
According to the governor’s office, Kentucky is home to more than 230 metals-related facilities, which employ approximately 25,000 Kentuckians. In 2021, Kentucky’s metals industry announced more than 1,700 full-time jobs with $975 million in new investment.
Todd County Judge/Executive Todd Mansfield thanked everyone who has helped move the project forward at this point.
“On behalf of the residents of Todd County, we thank Novelis leaders for their continued investment in our county and region. We also thank Governor Andy Beshear, the TVA, the Todd County Tax Court, the Town of Guthrie, the Pennyrile Area Development District, our education and labor partners, and our utility partners to continue to show strong leadership in supporting Novelis and its future growth,” Judge/Executive Mansfield said. “Through Novelis’ stewardship and regional partnership, our region will benefit from this $350 million capital investment and more than 140 new jobs creating hope, opportunity and prosperity for County residents. Todd and southwestern Kentucky.
Southwest Kentucky Economic Development Manager Carter Hendricks said he looks forward to continuing the region’s partnership with Novelis.
“The Southwestern Kentucky region remains a hotbed of economic development activity, as evidenced by the recent expansion announcement and groundbreaking for Novelis. We are proud that Todd County and Southwestern Kentucky are home to Novelis and their continued growth through this significant capital investment and the creation of new jobs,” said Hendricks. “We look forward to continuing to work with Novelis management and local, regional and national officials to ensure Novelis’ success for generations to come in our less taxing and more relaxing region.”
Todd County Industrial Foundation President John Walton said the community and Novelis are ready to grow together.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this innovation with Novelis and our region. We are confident that Novelis will continue to be successful in Todd County and Southwestern Kentucky thanks to our strong workforce, exceptional quality of life, and business-friendly communities,” said Walton. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to meet Novelis’ needs as they continue to grow in our region.
Tennessee Valley Authority Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley highlighted the company’s sustainability efforts.
“TVA and Pennyrile RECC are proud to partner with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and the Southwestern Kentucky Economic Development Council to support companies like Novelis, committed to creating jobs and investment in the region,” said Bradley. “We applaud Novelis for this innovation as the company moves forward towards its goal of creating a more sustainable world, the impact of which will pay dividends for generations to come.”
For more information about Novelis, click HERE.
A detailed Todd County Community Profile can be viewed HERE.