Bowling Green, KY, May 29, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Holley Performance Products, a leader in automotive performance products, today announced their intention to create a research and development facility at their Bowling Green Headquarters. The new facility will bring an investment of $1,325,000 and create 20 new jobs. The new facility will be a revolutionary R&D work cell for designing industry leading exhaust systems.
The work cell will incorporate assets and employees needed to develop and prove new designs, as well as processes and manufacturing techniques. The cell will focus on improving processes and methods in order to decrease production time, accommodate sales volume and maintain high quality of products, all which will directly benefit Holley customers. The facility will allow Holley to expand its exhaust product lines sold under the world famous Hooker Header and Flowtech brands. Products will include premium quality exhaust systems for late model muscle cars and trucks as well as design enhancements to their existing products for classic vehicles.
"This is a welcomed investment in south central Kentucky," said Gov. Steve Beshear. "Today's announcement is another sign that our state's automotive prowess continues to grow. I want to thank Holley Performance Products for expanding in Bowling Green and I wish the company continued success."
Holley has been in Bowling Green since 1951, and has been an important part of the Bowling Green economy, employing over 250 people at its Russellville Road facility. The company began in Bowling Green producing the Visi-flo carburetor, and has since moved on to be the industry leader in high performance exhaust products, standalone EFI systems, carburetors, intake manifolds, superchargers, water pumps, plumbing components and fuel pumps for street and race applications. Holley has powered every NASCAR team since the 1960s with products made in Bowling Green including their current EFI throttle body. With the addition of an R&D focused cell, Holley is positioning itself to continue to lead the market in both the development and manufacture of high performance automotive products.
"Holley has always prided itself on producing high performance parts at the best value to our customers," stated Tim Grillot, Business Unit Manager. "Bowling Green has provided us with an ideal location for this new development center. This investment will help us stay a step ahead of an evolving industry and continue to provide our customers with the high quality products they have come to expect from Holley. We would like to thank the local and state entities that aided us in this process and we look forward to growing in Bowling Green."
"South Central Kentucky has positioned itself as an automotive and motorsports hub and Holley is one of the many reasons why. This company is a rock star in the automotive industry," stated Chamber Board Chairman, John Mark Fones. "The Holley name extends to include a number of prominent brands that are recognized by industry leaders as top of the line products and we are very proud to say that those products are not only manufactured right here in Bowling Green, but the company is actually headquartered right here. We are truly honored to have a world renowned company like Holley as an anchor of our growing automotive and motorsports industries and we congratulate them on their continued success."
As a market leader in high performance race products, Holley annually brings the Holley National Hot Rod Reunion to Beech Bend Raceway, which features a wide variety of activities, including quarter-mile nostalgia drag racing with some of the sport's most famous, historic cars and drivers racing in such classes at Nostalgia Top Fuel and Funny Car. They also hold their amazing Holley LS Fest in Bowling Green which brings thousands of competitors, spectators and media from around the country to Bowling Green each year.
"It's not the number of companies in a community that make that a location for success, it is the quality of businesses that thrive there," stated Mayor Bruce Wilkerson. "Holley exemplifies a company that has garnered not only their community's respect, but the respect of leaders in their industry around the world. I couldn't be prouder to say that Holley is a part of the Bowling Green community and I am thankful for their investment in our region. I look forward to their leadership as we continue to grow our presence in the motorsports industry".
"Holley is more than just a corporate citizen, they are a part of the fabric of Bowling Green's storied automotive heritage. This company was one of the first automotive manufacturers in Warren County and they have truly set the standard for what a successful business looks like. It is a privilege to be a part of their growth and I look forward to their continued success," said Judge Executive Michael Buchanon.
This is the fifth economic development announcement in 2014 for the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce for a total capital investment of more than $180 million and the creation of over 275 new jobs. Currently, Holley manufacturers products under the brand names of Holley, Hooker Headers, Flowtech exhaust, Earl's plumbing, NOS Nitrous Oxide Systems and Weiand intakes and superchargers.
For more information on Holley, visit http://www.holley.com/.
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About Holley
Holley was founded in 1903 around the advent of the automobile and has been a supplier to every major American OEM automobile manufacturer. Holley supplied half of the fuel systems in WWII including those for land vehicles, marine and aircraft. Its primary focus today is in the high performance aftermarket where its world famous carburetion has won more races than all others combined. Holley is proactive in developing EFI systems for street users and professional racers alike. Holley manufacturers products under the brand names of Holley, Hooker Headers, Flowtech exhaust, Earl's plumbing, NOS Nitrous Oxide Systems and Weiand intakes and superchargers.
About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is a 5-Star Accredited Chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was named the 2009 Chamber of the Year by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. As the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,100 partners and is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.