Eastern Kentucky is a Significant Part of the State’s $34.2 Billion Metals Sector

The local metal industry continues to grow thanks to the Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. As of 2025, there are more than 250 metals-related businesses in the state that employ 36,000 people. As more metal companies move here, they are drawn to Eastern Kentucky because of its large workforce, location advantages, and affordable facilities. 

“We meet with metal companies frequently that are excited about Kentucky and want to learn more about the Eastern region,” says Colby Kirk, President and CEO of One East Kentucky. “We assure them that our economic development team will make moving here easy while also forming supportive partnerships that last for decades.” 

Here are a few leading metal companies that call Eastern Kentucky home. Learn more about this growing industry and how the local workforce meets the needs of employers. 

Appalachian Tank

Appalachian Tank, a subsidiary of Platinum Tank Group, opened its Pikeville location in November 2021. It creates tanks used by the fuel industry to transport gas and other flammable materials nationwide. The tanks are highly regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) because any accident could create dangerous and environmentally hazardous situations. 

When Appalachian Tank moved to the area, it formed a partnership with Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) to train students in aluminium welding. 

“Aluminum welding is a highly skilled industry,” said Neil Green, general manager of Appalachian Tank. “It’s much different than steel welding.”

BSCTC developed a program around aluminum welding to ensure candidates would have the right skills and experience to meet Appalachian Tank's needs. What started as two employees became 50, and the company celebrated its 100th manufactured tank within two years of opening its doors. 

Appalachian Tank proves the value of Eastern Kentucky’s education partners. You can work directly with local colleges to develop the necessary coursework for employees to succeed.     

Dajcor Aluminum

Dajcor Aluminum is a Canadian company that expanded into Perry County in 2019. It has since grown into a 100-employee operation on a 30-acre campus with 200,000 square feet of manufacturing space. Dajcor supports the automotive, energy, recreation, medical equipment, and consumer goods sectors through its fabrication efforts. It specializes in custom extrusions to precision manufacturing. 

The Dajcor expansion was made possible through partnerships with local utility companies. Specifically, Kentucky Power ensured it could handle the load requirements of Dajcor Aluminum and highlighted economic development rider incentives for moving to Eastern Kentucky. There will always be multiple organizations ready to help when companies create plans to expand into the region.  

Logan Corporation

The Logan Corporation is known for its custom dump bodies. It manufactures the metal bodies used by dump trucks to haul raw materials and waste products to and from worksites. Logan has been in business since 1904 and was built on the needs of Appalachian companies. Founded in West Virginia, Logan started distributing equipment to farmers across the rugged mountain landscape. Today, it creates value-added products for mining and construction firms. 

Logan is a natural fit for Salyersville, where it taps into the local workforce to further its manufacturing goals. It still has an Appalachian presence by expanding its efforts into Kentucky. 

Metal Manufacturing Supports Eastern Kentucky Industries  

Metal manufacturing firms continue to choose Eastern Kentucky to better support the region's other industries. The products and materials these firms create are then used in the local automotive and aerospace fields. Companies that choose Eastern Kentucky can have a streamlined supply chain by transporting goods locally. There’s no need to ship materials from different countries – or even different states. 

The future of the metal manufacturing industry is in Kentucky. Reach out today and discover the value that Eastern Kentucky provides. Quality shovel-ready sites are closer and more affordable than you think.