Manufacturing companies announced significant investments in Tennessee this week, expected to create hundreds of jobs.
Two companies, Documotion Research Inc. and Durable Products, announced they were expanding their manufacturing operations in the state.
Recticel Group, a Belgian-based manufacturing company, said it will open its first American location in the state.
These three companies will invest $86.3 million in Tennessee and create 260 new jobs.
Documotion Research, based in Columbia, Tennessee, will be adding 40,000 square feet of space for manufacturing and maintenance operations for its operations.
The company, which manufactures StickyPOS® linerless labels, will invest $9.1 million to expand its operations and create 48 new jobs.
Joel Van Boom, president of Documotion Research, said the company’s decision to expand its operations to Maury County in 2020 was “one of the best decisions our company has ever made.”
“We have been extremely happy with the help and support from the county and state as we have grown, which is the main reason why we decided to expand our operation here instead of opening another facility in a different region,” he stated.
Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder said Documotion Research’s expansion plans show that the city “is an excellent and competitive place for innovative companies to operate.”
Durable Products, based in Crossville, Tennessee, is renovating its facility. The compression molding company will invest $27.3 million in new machinery, warehousing, inventory, and offices.
This investment will create 134 new jobs for Tennessee residents.
J. Pearson, CEO of Durable Products, said the company is “excited to be a new manufacturing company in the great state of Tennessee.”
He added that the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) played an important role in helping get the company to move to the state.
“We were based in Texas, and now we are happy to call Crossville, Tennessee, home. We appreciate all the hard work from the local and state officials that helped us make this decision,” he noted.
TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter said Tennessee looks forward to “supporting the company.”
“This project will make a lasting impact on the Upper Cumberland region for years to come,” McWhorter explained.
Recticel Group will set up a manufacturing plant in Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee. The facility will be located at the Cherry Glen Industrial Park.
The Tennessee plant will produce insulated panels for the American market under the Trimo North America brand.
Recticel Group will invest $49.6 million in the facility, creating 78 new jobs.
Gov. Bill Lee said the company’s decision to “open its first insulated panels facility here demonstrates the confidence international companies have in our state and will create even greater opportunity for the families across Southern Middle Tennessee.”
Jan Vergote, CEO of Recticel Group, said the creation of “Trimo North America marks an exciting new chapter in our global growth strategy.”
“Our new Tennessee facility will manufacture high-quality insulated panels for a wide range of applications, including warehouses, gymnasiums, schools, industrial facilities, and retail spaces,” Vergote explained.
“We look forward to becoming an active part of Tennessee’s dynamic and welcoming business community,” he added.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at [email protected].
This sounds good on the surface. The question is – How much Tennessee taxpayer money went to seal these deals? One never hears what goes on behind closed doors.