REDI Cincinnati Announces James A. Wuenker Growth Award Winners
CINCINNATI – REDI Cincinnati presented five local companies with James A. Wuenker Growth Awards at its 12th Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 19: Jabil, SencorpWhite, The Hillman Group, StandardAero and Cencora.
Named in honor of renowned economic developer James A. Wuenker, who helped shape the future of the Cincinnati region through his efforts, the Growth Awards are annually conferred to companies whose projects announced in the previous year significantly enhanced the economic strength of the Cincinnati region.
Click here to see what our Award Winners have to say about doing business in the Cincinnati region.
“This year’s five Growth Awards winners represent more than 1,500 new jobs and over $300 million in capital investment, showcasing real and tangible impact across our region,” said Kimm Lauterbach, president and CEO of REDI Cincinnati. “Jabil, SencorpWhite, The Hillman Group, StandardAero and Cencora have made intentional investments that underscore the continued economic momentum of the Cincinnati region. These projects demonstrate the confidence these companies have in our market and further reinforce our region’s reputation as a top destination for companies looking to locate and grow.”
James A. Wuenker Growth Award Winner: Jabil
Jabil, a manufacturing solutions provider delivering comprehensive design, manufacturing, supply chain and product management services across a wide array of industries, including automotive, transportation, defense, aerospace and more, announced plans for an expansion at its location in Boone County, KY. The company employs more than 140,000 people in 25 countries across the globe.
“We are honored to be recognized by REDI Cincinnati,” said John Kraus, vice president of operations. “This acknowledgment reflects the dedication of our team and Jabil’s ongoing commitment to supporting growth and opportunity across the Cincinnati region.”
James A. Wuenker Growth Award Winner: SencorpWhite
SencorpWhite, a leading provider of end-to-end automated storage solutions for the medical, retail and manufacturing industries, selected Hamilton, Ohio, as its new U.S. headquarters. The region’s central location was a key factor in SencorpWhite’s site selection, reduced shipping times, lower transportation costs and improved supply chain responsiveness. The company also pointed to Ohio’s strong manufacturing base and deep engineering talent, particularly in automation, machinery and industrial technologies.
“Being able to build a foundation in Ohio enriches our ability to serve our customers and it’s been an honor to work with Jobs Ohio, the City of Hamilton and REDI Cincinnati to achieve our goal,” said Corey Calla, CEO of SencorpWhite. “This award is another milestone that is setting the momentum for us in our new home. Thank you.”
James A. Wuenker Growth Award Winner: The Hillman Group
Led by Hillman, the former site, represents an extraordinary turning point, calling for the construction of a new 715,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility on a portion of the property. The new facility, designed to support modern logistics, will allow The Hillman Group, Inc. to consolidate several local facilities into a single, purpose-built building.
“We are grateful to be recognized with the James A. Wuenker Growth Award and appreciate REDI Cincinnati’s partnership throughout this project,” said Rocky Kraft, The Hillman Group’s Chief Financial Officer. “Investing in Forest Park reflects our long-standing commitment to the Cincinnati region and our focus on building a modern, collaborative environment that supports our team and positions Hillman for continued growth.”
James A. Wuenker Growth Award Winner: StandardAero
StandardAero announced a major expansion in 2025, adding approximately 120,000 square feet to its Sharonville operations, expanding to nearly 11 acres. This project will create approximately 300 new high-skill jobs, bringing their total Sharonville payroll more than 1,000 employees.
“We are happy to receive this recognition on behalf of our longtime StandardAero Cincinnati employees,” said Lytia Watson, vice president of human resources at StandardAero. “Their effort, dedication and technical mastery have earned the trust of our valued customers and facilitated our continued growth. We are especially appreciative of those who observed our work and nominated us for this distinction. We are extremely fortunate to have the support of REDI Cincinnati, the City of Sharonville and JobsOhio. Teamwork really does make the dream work!”
James A. Wuenker Growth Award Winner: Cencora
Cencora, formerly AmerisourceBergen Corp., plans to open a second national distribution center, which is expected to be fully operational by spring 2027. The 530,000-square-foot facility will significantly increase Cencora’s storage capacity and throughput, enhancing its ability to meet growing customer demand. The facility will feature advanced automation technology, including robotic handling systems, artificial intelligence and autonomous mobile robots, increasing the efficiency and reliability of supply chain processes.
“We’re grateful for the partnership with the City of Harrison, REDI Cincinnati and JobsOhio as we expand our presence in the region,” said Heather Zenk, President, US Supply Chain, Cencora. “Receiving the James A. Wuenker Growth Award reflects the commitment our teams bring every day to supporting the patients, providers and partners who rely on us. We truly believe all healthcare is local and look forward to building on our longstanding history in the community.”
REDI Cincinnati’s 12th Annual Meeting was co-presented by Delta Dental of Ohio and Paycor, a Paychex company.
About REDI Cincinnati
The Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Cincinnati is the first point-of-contact for companies locating or growing in the 15-county region at the heart of southwest Ohio, northern Kentucky, and southeast Indiana. REDI Cincinnati is supported by top business leaders and community partners and staffed by a team of economic development experts who are uniting the Cincinnati region to compete globally. The future is bright, and we’re building it, right now. Join us at REDICincinnati.com.