Shelbyville, IN — City of Shelbyville officials have returned from an international economic development mission that brought Indiana leaders to Japan and Germany to strengthen relationships with global companies that anchor the state’s manufacturing workforce. The trip, organized in coordination with The International Center, the Indiana German-American Business Council, and the Transatlantic Business & Investment Council (TBIC), showcased how rural communities can play a pivotal role in international investment strategies.

Shelbyville’s participation alongside the City of Westfield, Madison County Economic Development, and Indy Partnership demonstrates a growing trend: mid-sized and rural Indiana communities are increasingly central to the state’s global economic footprint.

A 40-Year Record of Japanese Investment

Indiana is home to more than 300 Japanese-owned companies, many located in rural communities like Shelbyville. These companies have built multigenerational workforces and contributed significantly to the stability of small and mid-sized cities.

Shelbyville’s delegation met with executives at PK USA, Kimura Foundry, KN Platec,, Ryobi Die Casting, Yushiro,  and RISU Plastics to discuss workforce needs, future expansion, and continued collaboration. Company leaders spoke openly about the importance of their relationship with Shelbyville.

PK USA executives shared that the company’s 38 years of operations in Shelbyville are “entirely due to the support of the City of Shelbyville, including its workforce and its generous acceptance of Japanese people and companies.” RISU executives noted that decades of progress in their U.S. business “is largely due to the continuous support and advice of city and state partners.”

These comments reinforce the idea that long-term investment in rural America is built on trust, consistency, and regular engagement.

The second portion of the mission brought the delegation to Iphofen, Germany, where Shelbyville leaders met with Knauf Global’s top executives—marking the first visit by a Shelbyville mayor to the company’s worldwide headquarters.

Knauf, founded in 1932, is one of the world’s largest producers of building materials. Its North American headquarters is located in Shelbyville, where the company employs 378 people and supports 1,600 jobs across the United States.

Discussions with global leadership—including Alexander Knauf, Martin Stürmer (CFO Knauf Group), Kerstin Welther (Global Research and Development Incentives Manager), and Andreas Pieper (Head of Inhouse Consulting)—centered on long-term growth strategy, R&D innovation, and opportunities in workforce development. The visit provided a rare direct line between leadership in rural Indiana and executives responsible for global investment decisions.

For communities like Shelbyville, relationships with international manufacturers are essential for sustaining stable employment and remaining competitive for future expansion projects.

A Model for Rural Global Engagement

While large cities often dominate international business headlines, this mission highlighted the growing role smaller communities play in global supply chains. Indiana’s manufacturing strength is rooted not only in Indianapolis and its suburbs, but in the state’s rural cities where multigenerational manufacturing workforces thrive.

Shelbyville’s leadership, alongside partners from Shelby County Development Corporation, the City of Westfield, Madison County Economic Development, and Indy Partnership demonstrated that rural Indiana communities can:

• Build and maintain credible relationships with foreign-owned manufacturers

• Navigate cross-cultural business environments

• Attract new investment by prioritizing long-term engagement

• Serve as reliable partners in global corporate strategy

Mayor Scott Furgeson noted, “When international companies invest in smaller communities, it changes everything—jobs, tax stability, local spending, and long-term growth. These visits show that rural cities like ours can be powerful partners in global business.”

Shelby County Development Corporation Executive Director Brian Asher added, “Indiana’s manufacturing economy depends heavily on international companies. Face-to-face time with leadership in Japan and Germany improves competitiveness statewide, especially for communities outside the metro core.”

Strengthening Indiana’s Position in Global Markets

The International Center, the Indiana German-American Business Council, and the Transatlantic Business & Investment Council continue to expand Indiana’s visibility in European and Asian markets at a time when global supply chains are shifting and companies are evaluating long-term manufacturing locations.

Shelbyville’s involvement illustrates that rural communities can—and increasingly do—play a leadership role in foreign direct investment (FDI) strategy.

About Shelbyville

Located 30 miles southeast of Indianapolis, Shelbyville is a manufacturing hub with strong Japanese and German investment, a highly skilled workforce, and a growing pipeline of industrial development. The city’s economic development strategy emphasizes global partnerships, workforce development, and long-term business retention. Learn more at shelbyville.in.gov