Wichita, July 9, 2009 - Premier Processing, a new metal finishing company, will open in Wichita. The start-up company has targeted early fall to launch the company. It will be located at 3002 West Pawnee occupying 36,000 square feet. The company is investing more than $3.8 million in capital investment, including manufacturing machinery and equipment.

“We are excited about the opportunities that Premier Processing has in Wichita,” said Brad Hart, of Premier Processing. “The quality work force makes Wichita the perfect location, and combined with the response of local and state economic development groups, helped make our decision.”

Premier Processing plans to create 100 jobs over the next five years with an average total annual payroll of more than $3 million.

“We are excited to welcome Premier Processing to Wichita,” said Kansas Department of Commerce Secretary David D. Kerr. “Given the nation’s current economic challenges, it says a lot about the Kansas business climate that a company like Premier would choose to locate here. We look forward to working with the company and helping them grow here in Kansas.”

According to Hart, Premier Processing will use lean manufacturing processes. “We believe that by utilizing the principles of lean manufacturing, we can provide even greater value to our customers, especially at a time when they need it most.”

“We welcome Premier Processing,” said Mayor Carl Brewer. “It’s hard to compete for companies in this tough business environment so this decision says a lot about our ability to work together and make the business case.”

Sedgwick County Chairman Parks said, “We know that Premier Processing will find Sedgwick County a highly productive place to do business and we look forward to their growth here.”

GWEDC, working closely with the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County and the Kansas Department of Commerce, negotiated a package of incentives to secure the capital investment and jobs for Wichita and Kansas. Local incentives will be voted on in coming weeks. State incentives include training funds, High Performance Incentive Program and Enterprise Zone credits.

The Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition is the regional public-private partnership managed by the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce and charged with creating and executing the region’s business recruitment, retention and expansion plans and marketing the region.