EDITOR'S NOTE: Commerce Lexington is proud to recognize the impact and importance of manufacturing to our regional economy during National Manufacturing Month in October. According to the International Trade Administration, U.S. manufacturing is an enduring and ever-evolving sector that contributes $2.9 trillion to the U.S. economy, employs nearly 12.9 million American workers, and accounts for 11 percent of the nation’s GDP. We caught up with the leaders of several of Greater Lexington’s key manufacturers to find out more about their operations, secrets to their success, advantages of being located in the region, and how their industry is evolving.   Search more Commerce Lexington member manufacturers in our on-line Business Directory here. 

 As one of the top 100 automotive suppliers worldwide, Webasto actively supports the transformation of the industry with decades of expertise and future‑oriented products, such as innovative roof systems, battery solutions, and heating and cooling products.  Approaching 30 years in the Blue Grass Business Park, most of the jobs at the Lexington facility involve the manual assembly of automotive sunroofs, including pre-assembly steps related to polyurethane encapsulation of glass panels.  There are also support functions like maintenance, shipping and receiving, and engineering and administrative.

Automobile roof systems were Webasto’s largest product group by revenue (78-percent) in 2025. Thermo management solutions and battery systems contributed approximately 13-percent and 8-percent, respectively, to the group’s sales.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Commerce Lexington is proud to recognize the impact and importance of manufacturing to our regional economy during National Manufacturing Month in October. According to the International Trade Administration, U.S. manufacturing is an enduring and ever-evolving sector that contributes $2.9 trillion to the U.S. economy, employs nearly 12.9 million American workers, and accounts for 11 percent of the nation’s GDP. We caught up with the leaders of several of Greater Lexington’s key manufacturers to find out more about their operations, secrets to their success, advantages of being located in the region, and how their industry is evolving.  

​Founded in 1995 by Jim Peyton, Kinemetrix designs and builds the machines that manufacturers use to make their products. It specializes in custom robotic assembly and test systems, bringing together mechanical design, robotics, machine vision, and software to create a complete production system. Its customers are market leaders who manufacture high-value, often safety-critical assemblies. They need equipment that meets demanding production and quality requirements, day after day. Kinemetrix builds systems that are safe, productive, and adaptable to changes in product designs, production volumes, and operating conditions.

When asked if he envisioned the kind of growth Kinemetrix has seen in 30-plus years, Jim Peyton said, “Yes. Envisioning the company we wanted to build was the starting point. The company was founded on a handful of guiding principles. Most of them around mutual respect for the team, and creating win-win business relationships with customers and suppliers. Fast forward 30 years, and those same principles are guiding our decisions and culture today.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: Commerce Lexington is proud to recognize the impact and importance of manufacturing to our regional economy during National Manufacturing Month in October. According to the International Trade Administration, U.S. manufacturing is an enduring and ever-evolving sector that contributes $2.9 trillion to the U.S. economy, employs nearly 12.9 million American workers, and accounts for 11 percent of the nation’s GDP. We caught up with the leaders of several of Greater Lexington’s key manufacturers to find out more about their operations, secrets to their success, advantages of being located in the region, and how their industry is evolving.  Search more Commerce Lexington member manufacturers in our on-line Business Directory here. ​

Big Ass Fans was founded in 1999 as the HVLS Fan Company, but customers had a hard time remembering the name of the business.  HVLS stood for high-volume, low-speed fan, but when people called, they asked about ‘those big ass fans.’  Suddenly, a new name was born. Today, the company behind the donkey logo doesn’t just move air, it transforms experiences. Big Ass Fans delivers comfort where it counts. You’ll see its fans being used all around the world. 

Prior to becoming CEO in 2025, Leah Larson served as chief marketing officer for Madison Air, the parent company of Big Ass Fans. In that role, she helped lead the brand and growth transformation of the business and worked closely with companies across the portfolio, including Big Ass Fans. She said that experience gave her a unique perspective on the business, its customers, and the opportunities ahead before stepping into the CEO role.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Commerce Lexington is proud to recognize the impact and importance of manufacturing to our regional economy during National Manufacturing Month in October. According to the International Trade Administration, U.S. manufacturing is an enduring and ever-evolving sector that contributes $2.9 trillion to the U.S. economy, employs nearly 12.9 million American workers, and accounts for 11 percent of the nation’s GDP. We caught up with the leaders of several of Greater Lexington’s key manufacturers to find out more about their operations, secrets to their success, advantages of being located in the region, and how their industry is evolving.  Search more Commerce Lexington member manufacturers in our on-line Business Directory here. ​

Founded in 1898 and the inventor of the original hard hat in 1919, Bullard is a globally scaled personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturer based in Cynthiana. This fifth-generation family-owned business is led by President and CEO Wells Bullard. Originally founded in San Francisco, Bullard relocated to Cynthiana in 1972. Today, the company designs and manufactures purpose-built personal protective equipment for people working in some of the world’s most demanding environments—from firefighters to industrial workers.

​“For more than 125 years, Bullard has been successful by staying focused on our customers, whose needs are constantly evolving! This means we have continuously evolved to meet and exceed their needs,” said Wells Bullard. “Being family-owned gives us the wonderful ability to think in generations, not quarters, which we think is an advantage for the incredible customers who trust us. We invest for the long term in our people, our customers, our products, and our communities.  Every generation has had the responsibility to leave Bullard stronger for the next one.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: Commerce Lexington is proud to recognize the impact and importance of manufacturing to our regional economy during National Manufacturing Month in October. According to the International Trade Administration, U.S. manufacturing is an enduring and ever-evolving sector that contributes $2.9 trillion to the U.S. economy, employs nearly 12.9 million American workers, and accounts for 11 percent of the nation’s GDP. We caught up with the leaders of several of Greater Lexington’s key manufacturers to find out more about their operations, secrets to their success, advantages of being located in the region, and how their industry is evolving.  

The strength of Greater Lexington’s manufacturing economy is anchored by Toyota Kentucky in Georgetown, the company’s largest manufacturing plant in the world and home to more than 10,000 high-quality jobs. Its presence has helped fuel a strong network of automotive suppliers and positioned the Bluegrass Alliance’s auto/auto-related cluster as the region’s highest concentration industry, with a location quotient of 2.86.

​David Fernandes is not new to Toyota Kentucky, but he is new to role of president, taking over in July upon Kerry Creech’s retirement.  Fernandes previously served as general manager of Powertrain at the Georgetown plant and most recently was senior vice president of Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Huntsville, Alabama.  He said, "The transition has been both exciting and familiar. Toyota Kentucky is a new leadership assignment for me, but it is also a place I know well from my earlier experience leading Powertrain here. What has changed is the breadth of my responsibility. What has not changed is Toyota’s commitment to safety, quality, respect for people and continuous improvement. My priorities are to listen, learn from the team and build on the strong foundation already in place."

​The Leadership Central Kentucky program is proud to introduce the newest class of regional leaders, who will begin the program with an orientation retreat August 18-19 at the Historic Boone Tavern in Madison County. Entering its 25th year, Leadership Central Kentucky (LCK) remains dedicated to developing and connecting leaders across the region who are committed to strengthening their communities through collaboration, civic engagement, and regional perspective.
 
Presented by Kentucky Utilities, Leadership Central Kentucky is a regional leadership development program designed for established leaders across Central Kentucky who are ready to expand their impact beyond their own organizations and communities. The program takes participants through monthly sessions across the eight-county region of Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Scott, and Woodford. Each session explores key issues shaping Central Kentucky—including transportation, education, economic development, public advocacy, quality of life, and agri-tourism—through expert speakers, engaging tours, hands-on activities, and peer-to-peer discussions.

On July 22-24, 2026, Commerce Lexington hosted the annual Greater LEX Washington, D.C. Fly-In co-presented by Columbia Gas of Kentucky and BrightSpring Health Services to our nation’s Capital.  This year’s trip was unique.  Approximately 80 business leaders from both Commerce Lexington and One Louisville joined together to meet with policy experts, members of Kentucky’s federal delegation, and key officials in the Trump Administration, especially with ties back to Kentucky, to advocate for policies and investments to improve economic competitiveness for both regions. It was the first joint endeavor for both Chambers and turned out to be a successful trip for networking, policy engagement, and demonstrating we are better together as a region and a Commonwealth. In case you missed the visit, here is brief recap of the meetings and important policy topics discussed by federal policy leaders. 

Commerce Lexington is proud to recognize Andi Johnson, Chief Policy Officer and Director of Regional Engagement, for earning the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) designation from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). The CCE program assesses and tests the applicant's knowledge of core chamber management areas: management, planning and development, membership, communications and revenue and operations. Chamber professionals who are designated CCEs earned this prestigious recognition through hard work, countless hours of dedication to their field, and leadership of their chamber to achieve the organization’s goals.

Johnson is one of 19 chamber professionals from across 12 states, to earn the Certified Chamber Executive designation this year. The new group of CCE’s was announced during ACCE’s annual convention in New Orleans. The first CCE designation was conferred more than 40 years ago. It is recognized as the highest and most elite professional designation in the chamber profession. It’s the only globally recognized certification program exclusive to the chamber of commerce industry.

​On July 22-24, a delegation of about 80 business and community leaders from Lexington and Louisville region’s will travel to the nation’s capital for its first-ever joint Washington, D.C. Fly-In co-presented by BrightSpring Health Services and Columbia Gas of Kentucky and coordinated by Commerce Lexington and One Louisville. With the upcoming midterm elections on the horizon, the summer Congressional session will center tightly on the Republican majority's core priorities—specifically the FY 2027 appropriations cycle, permitting reform, and a potential third reconciliation package. To shape these outcomes, proactive and immediate engagement with our federal representatives is essential.
 
During the visit, leaders from Greater LEX and Louisville groups will meet with members of Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation, administration officials, and their respective staffs about priority issues. In addition, participants will hear from various leaders and policy experts about key issues such as trade, regulatory reform, economic development, transportation infrastructure, housing affordability, energy policies, workforce issues, and appropriations.  

By Jennifer Stolo, President & CEO, Christian Appalachian Project

Less than 72 hours.
 
That's about how much time participants on Commerce Lexington's Annual Leadership Visit spend immersed in another community. Yet somehow, those few whirlwind days often generate ideas, relationships, and insights that shape our own communities for years to come.
 
Last week, I had the opportunity to join nearly 150 other Kentucky business, nonprofit, education, and government leaders in Des Moines, Iowa, as part of Commerce Lexington's 2026 Leadership Visit. The itinerary was packed and the purpose straightforward: to learn from another community's successes, challenges, and vision for the future.
 
At first glance, Lexington and Des Moines appear to have much in common. Both are growing regional hubs with strong healthcare, education, agriculture, and business sectors. Both are communities that take pride in their quality of life, civic engagement, and commitment to economic development. Both are navigating questions around workforce development, housing, infrastructure, and long-term growth.