Forklift manufacturer to expand in Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ)- The state says forklift manufacturer CLARK Material Handling is relocating two of its production lines to Fayette County. It says the $4.8 million investment means 30 new, full-time jobs for Lexington.

CLARK says it plans to begin production of its four-wheel electric ECX and its three-wheel electric TMX model forklift trucks in Lexington in May 2016. The company says the project will increase its current Lexington production by more than 200 percent.

President and CEO Dennis Lawrence says, “The investment CLARK is making today in its Lexington manufacturing operations is a direct result of the significant increase in business opportunities CLARK has experienced over the past two years… The expansion of manufacturing operations in North America solidifies CLARK’s long-term commitment to its dealers and customers, while providing additional employment opportunities for central Kentuckians.”

CLARK says it has also purchased a 4-acre parcel of land adjacent to its Lexington facility. It says the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) has preliminarily approved CLARK for tax incentives up to $400,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment program. It says it also has early approval to earn $100,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act.