Ceramic tile manufacturer to create 220 jobs
BAXTER, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Portobello America, Inc. officials announced today that the company will locate its U.S. headquarters and first U.S. production facility in Baxter. The ceramic tile manufacturer will create 220 jobs and invest approximately $150 million in Putnam County, which represents the largest announcement in Baxter during the Haslam administration.
“Portobello’s decision to locate its new production facility and U.S. headquarters and create more than 200 in Baxter will be transformational for the community,” Haslam said. “In Tennessee, we have created a business-friendly environment that promotes growth in all of our communities across the state and I appreciate Portobello for seeing what great assets Tennessee and Putnam County have to offer. I look forward to seeing this company succeed in our state and with investments like this, Tennessee will lead in the creation of high-quality jobs.”
“I appreciate Brazil-based Portobello for selecting Tennessee as the home of its first U.S. production facility and its new U.S. headquarters,” Rolfe said. “Tennessee places a major emphasis on foreign direct investment and Brazilian companies have been a great investment partners in Tennessee. There are 13 Brazilian companies currently located in our state, employing approximately 2,000 Tennesseans. I thank Portobello for making this major announcement in Baxter and for creating 220 new high quality, family-wage jobs in Putnam County.”
Portobello, headquartered in Brazil, is the largest tile manufacturer in Brazil. The company serves countries on five continents and internal markets through multi-brand retailers, the Portobello Shop franchise and sales channel for engineering. Portobello has more than 2,600 employees, responsible for the design and innovation of items that launch trends in architecture and interior design in Brazil.
“Growing and developing in the American market, incorporating the local culture, generating job opportunities and investments through an integrated business model, from production to partnership with distributors, is what guides this new challenge,” Portobello President Cesar Gomes, Junior said. “We are proud to present Portobello America. We believe in the strategy, the market potential and, above all, the combination of our know-how with the American team and culture.”
Portobello will locate its new operations on the Tennessee Motor Speedway site in Putnam County, where the company will build a new facility. Construction on the facility is set to be complete by 2021.
“Portobello represents the largest capital investment for a manufacturing project in our county’s history, and we thank them for becoming our newest economic development partner,” Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said. “I’m proud of all the work that went into getting us to this point and our team is ready to continue working with Portobello for many years to come.”
“I want to thank Portobello for committing to the future of Baxter,” Baxter Mayor John Martin said. “We have been dedicated to growing our city for a long time and I’m so proud that we’re seeing the fruits of the work that we’ve put in. We look forward to a long partnership that will create tremendous economic impact for our citizens.”
“We thank Portobello for committing to investing in our region and for the over 200 jobs they will be creating. We’ve had our eye on this market segment for some time and we couldn’t think of a better company than Portobello to join our community,” Highlands Economic Partnership President and CEO George Halford said.
“TVA and Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation congratulate Portobello on its decision to locate its first US manufacturing facility in Putnam County,” said TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley. “Helping to facilitate job creation if fundamental to TVA’s mission of service and we are proud to partner with Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Highlands Economic Development Partnership, City of Baxter, Putnam County, and Portobello to help further that mission.”
Baxter and Putnam County are represented by Sen. Paul Bailey (R – Sparta), Rep. Cameron Sexton (R – Crossville) and Rep. Ryan Williams (R – Cookeville) in the Tennessee General Assembly.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies that help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment to the state and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.
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