FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 9, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear highlighted further investment in the commonwealth’s manufacturing sector as Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems (SEWS) announced a $17 million expansion of its Simpson County facility that will create 76 new full-time jobs.
“Kentucky’s manufacturing industry has long been a key economic driver for this state, and the momentum we have seen within this sector in recent years shows no sign of slowing,” said Gov. Beshear. “This is a fantastic investment for the Simpson County community, and I am thrilled to see a quality company like Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems, which has done business in Kentucky for 37 years, continue to believe in our state’s resources and workforce. I want to thank the company’s leadership and look forward to their continued success.”
The expansion will allow the company to increase its product lines, specifically electric wiring harnesses components for automobiles. SEWS will add new injection-molding machines, along with automated assembly equipment to produce electrical connectors for the automotive industry. In addition, there will be added warehousing for raw materials and finished goods. Like the company’s other facilities, this expansion will feature a clean, climate-controlled environment and will create new opportunities in manufacturing, warehousing, maintenance and engineering.
“We have been producing connectors and terminals in Kentucky since 1988; it’s very exciting to be able to continue to grow and expand in South Central Kentucky,” said John Saylors, division manager of Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems. “We have wanted to expand in Kentucky for several years, and with cooperation from the Franklin-Simpson Industrial Authority and the state, we are now able to move forward with our growth plans. This area offers a wealth of resources including the backbone of our business – our associates, as well as the local tech schools and supporting services.”
Since the founding of Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. in 1897 with copper wire production, Sumitomo Electric Group companies have developed many new technologies and products through innovative R&D activities based on Sumitomo Electric manufacturing technologies for electric wire and power cables. Today, there are over 350 consolidated companies in 30 countries within the Sumitomo Electric Group. SEWS is a joint venture between Sumitomo Electric Industries and Sumitomo Wiring Systems and was established in June 1986. SEWS has been located in the commonwealth since 1988, starting production in Scottsville.
Simpson County Judge/Executive Mason Barnes said he’s grateful for the company’s continued investment and job creation: “We are extremely excited that Sumitomo plans to do an expansion of their operations here in Simpson County. This demonstrates the great partnerships that are created between our local industries and our community. Sumitomo will be providing even more employment opportunities for our residents and the surrounding area. I greatly appreciate their investment in Simpson County and look forward to working with them for many years to come.”
Franklin Mayor Larry Dixon spoke on the impact of the expansion: “This expansion by Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems is incredible news for the Franklin community. This expansion shows that Franklin is a great place for our growing manufacturing and industry. It is vital for us to attract strong companies who fit our area and our long-term goals as a city. We’re proud to partner with businesses that invest in our community and provide competitive opportunities to our workforce.”
Franklin-Simpson Industrial Authority Executive Director Jim DeCesare welcomed the company’s growth within the community: “We are thrilled to welcome Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems’ expansion to Franklin. This $17 million investment not only demonstrates their confidence in our workforce and community but also marks a major milestone in our continued economic growth. We look forward to supporting their success as they create 76 new jobs for our residents.”
SEWS’s investment and job creation build on the best five-year period for economic growth in state history.
Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,200 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $36 billion in announced investments, creating more than 62,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history and $15 billion more than the next highest total.
The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. Since 2022, the average incentivized hourly wage has topped $26 in three consecutive years for the first time.
Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history, which have solidified Kentucky as the electric vehicle battery production capital of the United States: Ford Motor Co. and SK On’s transformative $5.8 billion, 5,000-job BlueOval SK Battery Park in Hardin County; AESC’s $2 billion, 2,000-job gigafactory project in Warren County; Toyota’s $1.3 billion investment in Scott County; and Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing’s $712 million investment, creating 1,572 jobs in Shelby County, among others.
The Governor’s administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund. In 2023, Kentucky recorded over 2 million jobs filled for the first time ever and has stayed above that number ever since.
Kentucky also secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service.
Earlier this year, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky in the top five nationally and second in the South Central region for economic development projects per capita in its 2024 Governor’s Cup rankings. Site Selection also placed Kentucky second in the South Central region and No. 6 nationally in its 2025 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects.
Gov. Beshear also announced a new initiative, called New Kentucky Home, to increase economic investment, attain and attract talent, and increase tourism across the state.
To encourage investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in June preliminarily approved a 10-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $850,000 in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of $17 million and annual targets of:
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, SEWS 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 Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems, visit SEWSUS.com.
A detailed community profile for Simpson County can be viewed here.
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