Kobelco Aluminum Products & Extrusions to increase production capacity in Kentucky

Tokyo-based Kobe Steel Ltd. has announced that its U.S. subsidiary, Kobelco Aluminum Products & Extrusions Inc., will invest about $42 million to increase the production capacity of its plant in Bowling Green, Ky.

The facility manufactures bumper materials and car frame materials and recently began offering melting, casting, and fabrication services. The new equipment is expected to go into mass production in the first half of 2020, giving the company two melting furnaces and two extrusion presses. Production capacity will increase to 1,000 tons per month, from the current 500 tons per month. The new investment is expected to create about 90 new jobs.