9 Things You Use That Are Made in South Western Kentucky

08/01/2023

From grabbing a drink out of the fridge at the store to enjoying delicious Ghirardelli Brownies, there are many things you use that are made right here in South Western Kentucky.

1. The next time you read USA Today, know that the ink covering those pages is coming from South Western Kentucky. Papers around the world - like USA Today - are printed with ink made right here in South Western Kentucky. Local manufacturer Sun Chemical is the producer of 85% of US Daily newspaper ink. Sun Chemical established operations in Hopkinsville in 1998. Some 22 years later, they are still succeeding with a workforce over 40 strong.   They attribute their success to a qualified workforce, strong community support, and outstanding geographic proximity.  

2. The Metalsa-Hopkinsville plant was the first of their facilities to make assemblies in aluminum structures, and it was for the Corvette chassis. So when you see a Vette, it probably has South Western Kentucky parts in it!

3. FLEXcon - located in Elkton, is an international company with a growing presence in South Western Kentucky thanks to the continued popularity of a number of beverages and products.  FLEXcon manufactures the adhesive that help labels “stick” to products like Corona, Miller Lite, Gatorade, Snapple, and a number of other non-beverage items. Just picture yourself relaxing on the beach; that beverage you’re holding might have adhesive from right here in South Western Kentucky.

4. When you open the door to grab your milk at the grocery store, you might just be using a door made right here in South Western Kentucky. Display Door Solutions in Todd County manufactures reach-in cooler and freezer glass doors for customers around the world. 

5. Wabash, located in Cadiz Kentucky, use trailers that touch the products you use every day.  They call it “Helping to Move Industry from the First to the Final Mile.” The raw materials in your products arrive at the manufacturing facility on Wabash trailers and then move from manufacturer to warehouse to your house all on Wabash Trailers. They make everything from Flat Beds to Truck Bodies that Fed Ex and Amazon use for home deliveries. When you receive a package from UPS think of the full circle in that products life Wabash helped to create.

6. Hopkinsville Milling, home of Sunflour, is Hopkinsville’s longest running industry, and it’s locally owned! So when you reach for that second biscuit, remember it was probably made with Sunflour flour right here in South Western Kentucky!

7. The next time you walk through Menard's or Home Depot, head down the lighting aisle to spot some items manufactured right in South Western Kentucky. CWP Industries' core product is light fixture frames.  With products found in major national retailers, they produce for smaller hospitality companies as well.  They also manufacture picture frames for Walgreens! 

8. During the pandemic, our local distillers used ethanol to manufacture hand sanitizer. Casey Jones Distillery purchased 135,000+ gallons of ethanol from local plant Commonwealth Agri-Energy. Casey Jones Distillery produced over 715,000 gallons of liquid medical grade hand sanitizer that was then shipped to all 48 continental states - with some going overseas! 

9. Do you like brownies? Did you know that Ghirardelli Premium Chocolate Brownies are made here in Hopkinsville? Krusteaz uses local grain milled from farmers throughout the region at Siemer Milling to make these delicious delicacies. 

Next time you see a Corvette, read a newspaper like USA Today, or enjoy a delicious Ghirardelli brownie, remember that South Western Kentucky industries played a significant role in bringing these products into your life.