Governor Laura Kelly Announces 132 new Jobs in Neodesha

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that London-based Sicut Enterprises has selected Neodesha as the site of their new North American manufacturing hub, projected to create 132 new full-time jobs over the next five years.

“Sicut’s new manufacturing hub will create over 130 good-paying manufacturing jobs and generate significant investment for Neodesha and the entire Southeast region,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Our ability to recruit companies like Sicut to put down roots, proves that with our central location and world-class workforce, Kansas can compete for jobs and businesses around the globe.”

Sicut Enterprises Limited is the European market leader for the manufacture and supply of recycled plastic composite railroad ties. After having successfully completed a range of demanding tests with U.S. Class 1 Railroads, the company now is expanding into North America for the first time.

The company evaluated sites in multiple states before selecting Kansas, purchasing an existing building in Neodesha.

“This is a victory for both Sicut Enterprises and Neodesha, and it demonstrates the major economic potential in rural Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “Governor Kelly said we would bring major new investments to this region and to our state – so we did. The Governor’s decision to rebuild the International Division at Commerce reflects her aggressive approach to economic development, and it has resulted in wins like this.”

“Sicut is delighted to be locating its North American operations in the great state of Kansas,” Sicut Enterprises CEO William Mainwaring said. “We have found working with the state and local Neodesha officials during our due diligence process to be an extremely positive experience, with particular thanks to Ed Truelove and Jeri Hammerschmidt, who worked tirelessly to respond to all of our questions.  We now look forward to establishing our manufacturing operation in Neodesha over the coming months, and to the supply of our great products right across North America.”

About Sicut Enterprises Limited

Sicut Enterprises Limited, a British Company, is a supplier of truly sustainable infrastructure products manufactured from recycled plastics using technology first developed by Rutgers University. Sicut is the European market leader in the supply of plastic railroad ties that have been proven in the laboratory and track over the past 20 years, and now are installed in 20 countries worldwide. As well as being “green,” the products offer proven performance, significantly better value and a high-quality solution to a range of current and future risks facing rail track infrastructure asset owners.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses.