Research and Production Facility to House Scientists, Engineers
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with CLARCOR Inc. officials announced today the company will acquire a 62,250 square foot structure to create a state-of-the-art global research and product development resource to be known as the CLARCOR Innovation Center. CLARCOR, a global provider of filtration products, systems and services, will invest in excess of $10 million and create 35 new jobs across its two Middle Tennessee locations over the next five years.
“Tennessee is a leader in total R&D expenditures, ranking eighth in the U.S., and far outpacing nationwide R&D intensity growth by 30 percent in a 10 year period,” Hagerty said. “In addition to our favorable central location and business-friendly environment, Tennessee offers R&D-driven companies the opportunity to partner with globally recognized, Tennessee-based institutions to bring the next state-of-the-art concept to fruition. CLARCOR is an exceptional corporate citizen, and I appreciate CLARCOR’s management for their vision and for their decision to continue the company’s investment in Tennessee. Importantly, we applaud the high-wage jobs CLARCOR provides for our qualified workforce.”
“The creation of the CLARCOR Innovation Center is consistent with our vision to complement the technical teams of our operating companies with capabilities that drive our new product introduction to best in class in the filtration industry,” CLARCOR Chairman, President and CEO Christopher L. Conway said. “This also allows us to realize our mission to provide filtration solutions to our companies and customers through a focus on unique media, innovative processes and differentiated products that bring increased value to our customers, employees and shareholders. We deeply appreciate the State of Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and Columbia and Maury County public officials for their support in making this acquisition possible.”
CLARCOR will immediately begin renovation of a two-story commercial building at 2203 Oakland Parkway. The CLARCOR Innovation Center will include research laboratories, pilot and semi-works lines, a Center of Excellence for nanofiber production and a Learning Center to educate and showcase CLARCOR to customers, new employees and shareholders.
Located just 30 miles from CLARCOR’s corporate headquarters in Franklin, the Innovation Center will house a staff of research scientists and engineers, along with the company’s Advanced Filtration Solutions group.
“The city of Columbia is very excited to see that CLARCOR is coming to our community,” Columbia Mayor Dean Dickey said. “This is a project that will benefit our citizens and workforce, and we want to do everything possible to make this operation successful. Our door will always be open, and we are just a phone call away.”
“Maury County is elated to have CLARCOR locate here,” Maury County Mayor James Bailey said. “This is the type of business we have been aiming to locate in our community, and we are thankful for the jobs CLARCOR is creating for area citizens.”
“TVA and Columbia Power and Water Systems congratulate CLARCOR on its decision to locate a new research facility in Columbia,” John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development, said. “We are glad to be partners with the state of Tennessee, the Maury Alliance and city of Columbia and Maury County officials to assist companies like CLARCOR to create new jobs and economic prosperity in the community.”
About CLARCOR
CLARCOR is based in Franklin, Tennessee and is a diversified marketer and manufacturer of mobile, industrial and environmental filtration products and consumer and industrial packaging products sold in domestic and international markets. Common shares of the Company are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CLC.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Tennessee was named “2013 State of the Year” for economic development by Business Facilities magazine. The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tn.gov/ecd. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.
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