Valvoline Global Operations will move its headquarters from Lexington to Cincinnati, company leaders announced Aug. 24.
According to a news release, the company will renovate a 50,000-square-foot space to house up to 120 employees in the heart of downtown Cincinnati – placing it near its largest production facility that operates on the west side of the city – with an expected opening date in spring 2027. In a separate news release, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said 54 jobs will be created as part of the project.
Company leaders said more than 400 workers will remain in Lexington to focus on regional goals following the transition.
"Today marks an important moment for our company," Valvoline Global President and CEO Jamal Muashsher said in the statement. "Expanding our presence in Cincinnati and creating our Americas Hub in Lexington provides the space for our teams to better collaborate, innovate and operate more effectively, which will ensure we continue providing top-tier support for our customers worldwide."
Cincinnati leaders welcomed the move as a major win for the city's downtown sector.
"The decision to relocate Valvoline Global's headquarters to our region reflects the strength of our business-friendly environment and our growing prominence as a $10.6 billion global hub for chemicals and materials manufacturing," said Kimm Lauterbach, president and CEO of REDI Cincinnati. "We're proud to become home to a company that has earned the trust of millions of drivers and supports industrial operations around the world."
Muashsher said Kentucky will "continue to be an important part of [Valvoline's] story" moving forward.
"As we establish our global headquarters in Cincinnati, we're excited about the opportunities ahead and what this chapter will mean for our people and our business, building on our 160-year commitment to inventing the way forward," he said.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Valvoline Global to move HQ out of Lexington