Ultimate Linings, LLC officials announced Tuesday the company will relocate its chemical manufacturing facility from Bedford, Texas, to Lebanon, Tennessee, according to a press release by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD).
“When companies relocate to Tennessee, it’s a testament to our strong business climate, skilled workforce and quality of life,” Governor Bill Lee said in a statement. “I thank Ultimate Linings for its significant investment and for creating high-quality manufacturing jobs in Wilson County.”
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Ultimate Linings has served the automotive industry’s need for high-quality bed liner material and systems for nearly three decades. Today, the company has a global presence, with applicators located in the U.S. and roughly 30 other countries around the world.
The company will invest $31 million and create 50 new jobs in Wilson County over the next five years, according to TNECD. To “meet new growth and expand global research,” Ultimate Linings’ Tennessee facility will house both the company’s advanced automated chemical manufacturing and its research and development laboratory and innovation center, the department further notes.
“We are thrilled to call Lebanon, Tennessee, the new home of Ultimate Linings’ corporate offices, our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and innovation center,” Ultimate Linings, LLC President Barry McConway said in a statement. “We thank Governor Lee, Commissioner Rolfe, the Tennessee Valley Authority, Wilson County Mayor Hutto and Mr. G.C. Hixon from Wilson County’s Joint Economic and Community Development Board for all their hard work in helping us bring this important strategic project to fruition.”
In the last five years, TNECD has supported nearly 20 economic development projects in Wilson County resulting in more than 5,500 job commitments and $1 billion in capital investment, according to the department.
“Ultimate Linings’ expansion to Tennessee marks Wilson County’s eighth economic development project in the last year,” TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe released in a statement. “We appreciate this company’s $31 million investment in Lebanon and thank this community for its strong partnership in recruiting new businesses to Middle Tennessee.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Truck Bed Lining” by Ultimate Linings.
And what did this cost the Tennessee/Wilson County taxpayers?