LEXINGTON, Ky. — Custom apparel manufacturer Artisans Inc. celebrated the grand opening of its first Kentucky location, a $8.4 million facility that is expected to create 55 new jobs in the region, according to an announcement from the Office of the Governor.

The Wisconsin-based company, which acquired Tri-Five Holdings of Lexington in 2024, has established its manufacturing presence in the commonwealth through the expansion of its newly acquired operation. The facility will focus on producing custom decorated apparel, headwear and accessories for destination resorts, colleges and conservation organizations.

Artisans Inc., founded in 1963 and headquartered in Glen Flora, Wisconsin, is a 100 percent employee-owned company. The organization specializes in screen printing, embroidery, sublimation and other apparel decoration techniques.

The Lexington facility marks a significant expansion of Artisans' manufacturing footprint beyond its primary Wisconsin operations. The company operates a 150,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Glen Flora and serves more than 3,000 customer accounts across the country.

The new Kentucky location represents part of a broader trend of manufacturing investment in the state. Over the past five years, Kentucky manufacturers have announced approximately 800 facility location or expansion projects with a reported capital investment of $28 billion and more than 37,000 additional jobs.