Big Ass Fans
Big Ass Fans CEO Ken Walma was joined by Big Ass Fans executive team members and Fort Worth City Councilwoman Macy Hill in cutting the ribbon at the new Big Ass Fans manufacturing facility in Fort Worth.
Kentucky-based Big Ass Fans’ expansion into Texas centered on Fort Worth.
The leading producer of high-volume low speed — HVLS — fans recently cut the ribbon on a 210,000-square-foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at 3001 NW Centre Dr. in northwest Fort Worth, not far from the Jim Wright Freeway.
"What's most exciting to me about the new site is that it will benefit our customers, our supplier partners, our employees and the local economy," said Ken Walma, CEO of Big Ass Fans, in a press release. "Texas is our No. 1 market and home to several of our largest customers — it's also where many of our valued suppliers are based. Proximity to suppliers and increased manufacturing capacity, along with ready access to a skilled workforce, will enable us to better and more quickly serve our customers across the state and region."
The company, based in Lexington, Kentucky, is hiring 100 local employees in Fort Worth, a number Walma anticipates will only grow.
Big Ass Fans was founded 25 years ago as HVLS Fan Co., largely serving the farming sector, based on research that found that if you keep cows cooler, they produce more milk.
After building a market for dairy barns and then factories, HVLS Fan Co. expanded into other industries based on word-of-mouth. As it did, customers would call and ask, "Are you the ones who make those big ass fans?"
As an FYI, in the parlance of our day, “big ass” translates to “significant size.” For example, the Horned Frogs opened up a big-ass lead on Long Island University on Saturday. It got bigger and bigger.
Suffice to say, a new name was born.
Big Ass Fans’ brand has only grown since across the country and the globe, with a mascot named “Fanny” and a customer base known as "raving fans.”
Late last month, the brand introduced its industry-leading airflow and cooling solutions to Fort Worth elected officials, business leaders, and customers.
"I am thrilled to welcome Big Ass Fans to the Fort Worth family and look forward to their continued investment in our community," said City Councilwoman Macy Hill, who represents that part of Fort Worth. "Their new manufacturing and distribution facility is a welcome addition to Fort Worth's economy."
Big Ass Fans celebrated their entry into the Fort Worth community by partnering with local vendors for the ribbon cutting. D&S Catering Company, Melt Ice Creams, Martin House Brewing Company, Wild Knox Hat Bar, and others shared their wares. Local stakeholders by the dozen, representing the Fort Worth business community, including the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership and the American Institute of Architects' Dallas chapter, were in attendance.
"We are proud to celebrate Big Ass Fans' expansion and welcome them to Fort Worth," said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. "This expansion underscores our commitment to fostering a thriving business environment and will bring positive economic impact and new opportunities to our vibrant city."