BE NKY Celebrates Corporate Anniversaries

Since BE NKY Growth Partnership’s inception in 1987 (as Northern Kentucky Tri-ED), we have led successful relocation or expansion efforts for 799 business projects, representing more than 77,036 primary industry jobs created with a capital investment of nearly $10.2 billion.

Every day, we work to attract new companies to Northern Kentucky, but we also honor those companies that have deep roots and a significant impact in our region. In 2024, we implemented a new program celebrating the milestone anniversaries of businesses in our target industry sectors.

BlairTech, the world’s largest Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher, celebrated its 20th anniversary. Founded in 2005 by CEO Andy Blair, the company started in a basement/garage and has since relocated four times due to rapid expansion. The company now resides in a 110,000-square-foot former historic toy store in Covington and has been named Microsoft’s Global Refurbishing Partner of the Year since 2020.

Blairtech hosted a gala to honor this milestone anniversary and on Sept. 24, 2025, the company was recognized by the City of Covington, Kenton County, and BE NKY Growth Partnership.

Two decades after establishing its first Northern Kentucky facility, Amazon’s presence has evolved into one of the company’s most significant regional operations, creating more than 22,000 jobs across the Commonwealth. Amazon’s Kentucky footprint encompasses its flagship air hub, 11 fulfillment and sortation centers, one same-day delivery site, five delivery stations, two Whole Foods Market stores, and five solar installations – representing more than $43 billion in infrastructure investment and employee compensation since 2010.

On June 4, 2025, regional elected officials and business leaders gathered at the Amazon Air Hub, where BE NKY Growth Partnership CEO Lee Crume presented an anniversary award celebrating Amazon’s transformative impact on the region.

On May 28, 2025, R.A Jones, a Coesia company, celebrated its 120th anniversary. Founded in 1905 as a soap packaging company, R.A Jones has operated in Northern Kentucky since 1913. Now a global leader in the design and manufacturing of primary and secondary packaging machinery for the beverage, chemical, consumer goods, dairy, food, pharmaceutical and industrial industries, R.A Jones employs more than 300 people in its Kenton County office.

Many community members attended the company’s celebration, including Kenton County Commissioner Beth Sewell who presented a proclamation from Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann designating May 28, 2025, as “R.A Jones’ 120th Anniversary Celebration Day.”

On May 8, 2025, Steinhauser celebrated its 120th anniversary at an all-employee event with many elected leaders, business colleagues, and community representatives. Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, Rep. Matthew Lehman, Campbell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery, City of Newport Mayor Tom Guidugli Jr., shared proclamations from the state, county and city and Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Brent Cooper, and BE NKY President & CEO Lee Crume shared remarks on this milestone anniversary.

Steinhauser, a fourth generation, 100% woman-owned company, is a custom label and shrink sleeve printer serving the beverage, spirits, personal care, and household markets.

On April 28, 2025, Taylor Farms Kentucky celebrated its 30th anniversary. Covington Mayor Ron Washington and leaders from BE NKY Growth Partnership and Kenton County honored the company with a proclamation and an award presentation at their Covington office.

Taylor Farms Kentucky, which employs more than 700 people, is a leading North American producer of salads and healthy fresh foods. Northern Kentucky residents can find the company’s products, including a wide variety of salad kits, in hundreds of local grocery stores.

On March 26, 2025, AquiSense Incorporated celebrated its 10th anniversary and Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore presented the company with a proclamation designating March 26, 2025, as “AquiSense Recognition Day” and BE NKY CEO Lee Crume presented CEO Oliver Lawal with an anniversary award.

A world leader in UV-C LED disinfection systems, AquiSense was one of the first companies to commercialize this technology for disinfection applications.

Bonfiglioli USA, a designer, manufacturer and distributor of a variety of gear motors, electric motors, planetary gearboxes and inverters, celebrated 25 years of operation in Northern Kentucky. The company serves many industry sectors, including industrial automation, mobile machinery and renewable energy.

On Oct. 31, 2024, Bonfiglioli President and CEO Greg Schulte celebrated this occasion with members of the BE NKY Growth Partnership team and Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore, who presented the company with a proclamation.

Mazak, a leader in the design and manufacture of productivity-improving machine tool solutions, opened its doors in Northern Kentucky in 1974. The Florence facility, which has expanded 20 times since opening, employs more than 600 people and produces more than 70 machining solutions.

The Kenton County Fiscal Court and Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann declared Oct. 31, 2024, as “Mazak Corporation’s 50^th Anniversary Celebration Day.”

STEP is a nationwide IT services and engineering firm that delivers secure and scalable solutions across wired, wireless, cellular and cloud environments. Headquartered in Covington, Kentucky, it is one of the fastest-growing technology firms in the Midwest with more than 3,500 clients.

In late 2024, the company celebrated its 10^th anniversary, complete with a proclamation from Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann who named Oct. 29, 2024, as “STEP CG’s 10^th Anniversary Celebration Day.”

On Sept. 5, 2024, C-Forward hosted a celebration at its company headquarters in downtown Covington to commemorate its 25^th anniversary. C-Forward, an information technology consulting service for small and mid-size businesses, was founded in 1999 by Brent Cooper. Today, the company’s annual revenues exceed $8 million, and Cooper employs more than 35 people.

Local and state elected leaders attended the celebration including Campbell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery, Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore, and Covington Vice Mayor Ron Washingon. C-Forward was also formally recognized by the Kentucky Senate through Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer.