Bowling Green Metalforming is on track with plans to add new products and jobs at its plant at 111 Cosma Drive in the Kentucky TriModal Transpark.

BGM is a subsidiary of Canadian-based Magna, Canada’s largest auto parts supplier.

For the last six months, BGM has been building frames for Ford’s Explorer and Sportrac models, but the company is planning to add production for Ford’s F250, F350, F450 and F550 heavy-duty pickup frames starting in January.

BGM will hire about 100 additional employees as the plant acquires more equipment.

&#8220There is going to be some job creation, which was planned when we knew we would be growing with the plant,” said Tracy Fuerst, director of corporate communications and media relations for Magna International.

In the fall, two 40-metric-ton heavy lifting cranes will be added, along with the startup of a new press line.

&#8220The new press line is not an actual press line for the frames, but it’s required for components to help support those programs,” Fuerst said.

BGM, which does its own research and development, ships some of its products – mainly the Ford F250 frames – to Mexico by railroad. But more traffic is expected in the plant once production for the new products begins.

&#8220There will be significant trucking and rail shipping for that facility,” Fuerst said. &#8220The inbound is mostly trucking, the outbound is mostly rail.”

BGM has no future expansion plans for its existing building, according to Fuerst.

The company’s planned job creation coincides with the announcement of the latest unemployment rates for the state. Warren County 4.4 percent rate was among the lowest in the state, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training in the Education Cabinet.

Jim Hizer, president and CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, sees BGM as a firm standout in the ever-changing auto industry.

&#8220There is so much turmoil in the world of automobile manufacturing,” he said &#8220It’s a blessing that we have such a solid employer operating in the transpark.”

BGM partners with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System’s economic development efforts through the Kentucky Workforce Investment Network System, which aims to give high-level transferable technical skills training to businesses that create high-paying jobs for Kentuckians, according to BGM’s human resources department.

Through the partnership, KCTCS played a major role in developing the Kentucky Manufacturing Skills Standards certification and the Kentucky Employability Certificate, both designed to improve basic skills, according to KCTCS reports.

BGM runs advertisements in the classified section of the Daily News about every month, seeking employees for a variety of positions.

A May 14 ad announced skilled trade openings for the plant’s assembly and press departments.

In December 2003, Magna announced its intent to construct its 900,000-square-foot manufacturing and assembly facility on 132 acres.

The expansion resulted in a $212 million investment that created 1,100 jobs.

Last June, Gov. Ernie Fletcher and the Cabinet for Economic Development presented BGM with a check of $1.5 million through a economic development bond grant the plant used to purchase equipment for the facility.

In August, BGM applied to expand to 138 acres and add two covered storage buildings containing 150,000 feet, according to the company’s revised detailed development plan.

http://www.magna.com