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Toyota moving 1,550 jobs out of northern Kentucky

797 views · Published 25 May 2014 · 3:20 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2014 · News & Politics

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ERLANGER, Ky. (Angenette Levy) -- Toyota will move more than 1,500 jobs out of Erlanger as it takes steps to consolidate its North American operations. 

1,000 jobs will be moved from the Erlanger to a new state-of-the-art facility in Plano, Texas. 300 jobs will be moved to the plant in Georgetown and 250 jobs will be moved to a facility near Ann Arbor, Michigan. The jobs include engineering, procurement  and production engineering positions. Jobs from California will also move to Texas. The move is expected to be complete between 2016 and 2017.

"This transition will strengthen our ability to put our customers first and to continue making great products that exceed their expectations," said Carrie Chandler, a Toyota spokesperson. 

Employees who left the Erlanger facility on Monday declined to comment. They learned of the news earlier in the day. City officials and members of the business community in northern Kentucky said they were taken by surprise. 

"I was blind-sided. I didn't know about it at all. We have really regular and very good communications with the people at Toyota so it came as kind of a shock," said Erlanger Mayor Tom Rouse. 

Rouse said he had heard a rumor about Toyota and Texas Sunday night from a friend on Facebook. He and others found out about the company leaving from the media. He said the city will lose $1.3 million annually in payroll taxes and other fees. 

Some small business owners said they will also lose. 
 
"I see dollar signs walking out of my business. That's the first thing that comes to mind," said Jim Ferreri, owner of Tsunami Sushi in Crestview Hills. 

Ferreri said he delivers lunches to Toyota and many of its employees are customers. Employees and owners of other small businesses say they will miss the business from Toyota and its employees. Members of the business community who work to draw businesses to the region said they were disappointed by the news.

"From an economic development picture, yeah, not the type of news you want to hear," said Dan Tobergte, CEO of Northern Kentucky Tri-Ed. 

Meanwhile, Mayor Rouse said Erlanger will survive Toyota leaving and he is confident another company will want to move into the facility. But, he's concerned about the people who work there. 

"I feel sorry for the people who are being affected by this. I'm sorry for the people who are either going to have to move to Texas or move to Michigan... Or go home without a job," Rouse said. 

Local 12 News asked Toyota representatives if the number of flights out of CVG factored into the decision to move. 

Carrie Chandler responded: "First and foremost, the move is a business decision about how we can accelerate the 'One Toyota' vision established by our company president.  A neutral location was needed.  One without an existing Toyota presence - where we can build our vision from the ground up, based on the Toyota Way."

But, Mayor Rouse said a Toyota representative told him the number of flights had an effect on the decision to move although it wasn't the main reason.

"I think it was a factor. I blame Delta. We built the airport for them and they made promises and then they broke those promises and this is part of the after effect of Delta turning its nose on the greater Cincinnati area," Mayor Rouse said.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced Monday that the state lured Toyota by offering $40 million in tax incentives. 



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