Automotive wheel manufacturer TOPY America Inc. will invest $37 million in a first round of upgrades at its plant, improving both its efficiency and work environment, near Frankfort, Kentucky.

The expansion includes installation of a new wheel assembly line, the facility’s fourth, and adding top-coat capability on an existing coating line. With the new line operational, TOPY’s leaders plan to assess other lines for potential upgrades in phase II.

The investment will improve work conditions for the facility’s 325 employees through building upgrades, equipment refurbishment, improved engineering systems and installation of a new cooling system. Company leaders expect to complete the project by mid-2020.

“As a proud member of Frankfort and Franklin County’s industrial community, Topy America, Inc. is thrilled to make this significant investment here in order to revitalize our aging equipment and facilities,” said Mark Oto, CEO of Topy America. “With over 32 years of manufacturing operations, our organization is seeking to upgrade machinery, buildings and technology to create and implement the ideal company. This is meant to sustain our position as a world-class supplier of steel road wheels to the North American automotive industry. Our associates have always been, and continue to be, our greatest assets.”

To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in December preliminarily approved the company for up to $1.75 million in tax incentives through the Kentucky Reinvestment Act (KRA). KRA is designed to help companies make significant capital investments to become more competitive, retain employment and increase productivity and efficiency. TOPY also can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network.

Headquartered near Frankfort and founded in 1985 as TOPY Corp., the company supplies steel road wheels to automotive manufacturers. It established the TOPY America name in 2007 after reorganizing to include other North America business segments. Its products include conventional, bead seat, full-face and large window wheels. TOPY currently produces 675,000 wheels per month to customers including Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., Chrysler Group, Honda of America, Kia Motors, Nissan North America and Subaru of Indiana. TOPY also has operations in Chicago, Detroit, Nashville and Salt Lake City.

“TOPY America is a 30-year mainstay of Kentucky’s automotive manufacturing base and Frankfort’s business community,” said Governor Matt Bevin. “We are delighted to see the company make such a substantial commitment to improving its operations and the day-to-day experience of its employees. With this investment, TOPY is reaffirming its place as a strong competitor in America’s automotive industry. We are grateful for their confidence in Kentucky and look forward to seeing the company’s success continue in the years to come.”

TOPY is a founding board member of the Bluegrass chapter of the Kentucky Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education, an apprenticeship-style workforce-training program provides students with paid work experience while they earn an associate degree and certificate in advanced manufacturing technology.