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NewsOctober 4, 1991

Recognition of existing business is the most important thing a community can do to create and maintain growth, Missouri's top economic development official said Thursday. "Growth throughout the state is due to existing businesses," said Carl M. Koupal Jr., director of the Department of Economic Development...

Recognition of existing business is the most important thing a community can do to create and maintain growth, Missouri's top economic development official said Thursday.

"Growth throughout the state is due to existing businesses," said Carl M. Koupal Jr., director of the Department of Economic Development.

"If you take care of your existing businesses in a community, it will attract new industry, then that new industry becomes existing industry," said Koupal, who knows about economic development, creating jobs, and helping existing businesses expand.

Koupal, who has served as director of the Economic Development Department since January 1985, spoke at the annual Industry Foundation for Progress Industrial Appreciation Dinner, held Thursday night at the Show Me Center on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event.

One of the top priorities of Koupal's department is bringing jobs to Missouri, which means developing strategies to assist existing industry and attract new industry. Since 1985, more than 150,000 new jobs have been created in Missouri.

"Growth throughout the state is due to existing businesses," he said. "The same can be said for Cape Girardeau, which is growing through expansions and new industry."

One new industry, less than 10 years old, was in the spotlight Thursday night.

Biokyowa, which started operations here in 1982 with a $25 million facility and 70 employees, received the chamber's Commitment to Excellence Award as the "Industry of the Year."

A surprised Sumio Kurihara, president of the Biokyowa, which is located on a 100-acre tract in the Nash Road Industrial Park, was called from the audience to accept the giant trophy from Bob Hendrix, chamber president.

"I'm surprised and happy," said Kurihara. "We're a young company, and I never expected this honor. We are so proud to be a part of Missouri and the Cape Girardeau community. So much credit goes to our employees."

Biokyowa is active in community affairs. The firm supports the Area Wide United Way, Southeast Missouri University Foundation, and has provided financial support to the proposed Missouri diagnostic veterinary laboratory.

This is the fourth year for the award, said Harry Rust, chairman of the chamber board. "It is presented annually to an industry that contributes to the local economy through payroll, use of local suppliers, expansion and other industrial contributions.

"It's a tribute to the industry in our community that more than 900 people turned out here Thursday night," said Rust. "We have more than 160 manufacturing companies, which provide employment to over 8,000 with payrolls exceeding $169 million."

Biokyowa employs about 100 of those workers.

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"Biokyowa started with 70 employees," said Rust. "But, the company has expanded operations twice, and now employs 99."

The latest Biokyowa expansion was a $20 million expansion, which included doubling the size of the Biokyowa warehouse and power plant, and adding equipment in the production plant. The warehouse area was expanded by 11,000 square feet, for additional storage space, docks, offices and interior loading space.

Expansion at the power house also doubled the previous space, and included additional equipment that provides more power to the production facility.

The two expansions have enabled the company to double production.

Biokyowa was the first producer of L-Lysine Monohydrochloride feed grade in the U.S., and will now be producing 13,000 million metric tons a year of the feed supplement, which is fed to swine and poultry.

The expansions resulted in 20 new jobs.

The L-Lysine additive was developed by Biokyowa's parent company, Kyowa Hakko Kogyo, headquartered in Tokyo, which was founded in 1949 and is recognized as a leader in the biotechnology and fermentation industry.

L-Lysine is the first-limiting amino acid in swine feed and the second-limiting amino acid in poultry feeds musts for maximum animal growth. The product, a meal-like substance, is distributed from coast to coast, and in Canada.

Biokyowa now has other feed-grade L-Lysine production plants in Mexico and Japan.

Thursday's "Industry of the Year" award was the second major award for Biokyowa in two years.

The firm received the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers-Governor's New Product Award in 1990 for its manufacture of L-Lysine Monohydrochloride.

Biokyowa joins some impressive companies in receiving the award. Last year's winner was Procter & Gamble; the 1989 award went to Lone Star Industries; the first recipient of the award, in 1988, was General Sign Co.

"It is recognition such as this which helps to create an environment for economic development and growth," said Koupal. "We want to be a partner with industry to create this climate where businesses can make a profit."

The Department of Economic Development will also assist industry in the global marketplace.

"If a company from Missouri can sell in Illinois, or Kentucky, or other U.S. areas, it most likely should look into the export market, too," he said. "You can bet that foreign producers are out there competing with your product."

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