B-K Tool & Design plans major expansion at Kalida facility
KALIDA – April 14, 2025.
To meet increased demands for custom automation equipment, B-K Tool & Design kicked off construction of a 50,000 square-foot expansion with a groundbreaking ceremony at its Kalida facility today. The added space will significantly enhance the company’s ability to serve existing and new customers by improving efficiencies and ability to meet the technology demands of company’s across various sectors. The company is expected to add 37 new jobs to support the $5.39 million expansion project.
Founded in 1981, B-K Tool started by producing machining components out of a small machine shop. Today, it operates out of an 80,000 square-foot facility, and offers a wide array of in-house manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, and control engineering capabilities. “Thanks to the continued trust from our customers, we are assembling small to large projects that can take up a large portion of our workspace. With the expansion and the recognition of Ohio having a strong reputation in manufacturing, we hope to continue to support our customers’ challenges and give our team the space to continue applying their valued skills,” said Kevin Kahle, President, B-K Tool & Design.
Kahle said B-K Tool & Design has long recognized the strong work ethic and pride in skilled trades, citing that as a primary reason for choosing to further invest in the local region. “Our team members are skilled with many talents, making it possible to take on customers’ challenges,” Kahle said. “Continued investment in the business will continue to attract the most important component of our daily operation, which of course is our team members.” Jeff Kahle, Vice President, B-K Tool & Design, noted the collaboration happening between businesses and efforts of local economic development and workforce boards helping empower future generations in Putnam County.
In addition to development services by the Putnam County CIC, Kahle highlighted the company’s supportive partnerships with the Village of Kalida, Regional Growth Partnership, JobsOhio, Port Authority of Northwestern Ohio, Kalida Schools, the Workforce Partnership and Ohio Tax Credit Authority. JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef congratulated B-K Tool & Design for evolving from a small machine shop to a thriving business employing well over 100 Ohioans. The expansion project is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. Contractors include Ferguson Construction, All-Purpose Contracting, County Electric and Knueve and Sons.
