Riken Grand Opening
Mar 6, 2008, 13:21

Riken Elastomers celebrated the grand opening for their Hopkinsville, KY plant on March 6, 2008. The new $20 million dollar Hopkinsville facility is a joint venture between Mitsubishi Corporation and Riken Technos. The joint venture produces an elastomer used in plastics. The automotive industry is one of their biggest customers.

Over 100 people attended the ceremony, including leaders from Hopkinsville-Christian County along with several dignitaries from the two parent companies who traveled from Japan

Highlights of the ceremony included remarks Nobuhiko Otomo, General Manager, Functional Chemical Unit, Mitsubishi Corporation, a speech by Koichi Kinoshita, President, Riken Technos, and a Kagami Wari Ceremony led by Mark Butts from Riken Elastomers. During the Kagami Wari Ceremony, a sake barrel lid was broken for good luck.

Leaders from Riken expressed their gratitude to Hopkinsville-Christian County saying that our central location to the automotive industry and excellent support system for our industries were key reasons in their choice.

Riken is the 9th Japanese company to locate in Hopkinsville.