Food service industry equipment manufacturer to create 67 new jobs
NASHVILLE — Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Franke Foodservice Systems officials announced today that the company will expand its operations in Smyrna. The food service industry equipment manufacturer will invest $11.6 million and create 67 new jobs in Rutherford County.
“I want to thank Franke for choosing to expand in Smyrna,” Rolfe said. “The manufacturing sector has been experiencing enormous growth in Tennessee and it means a great deal that Franke will continue this momentum by creating over 60 new jobs in Rutherford County. I appreciate Franke’s continued investment in Tennessee and look forward to our partnership.”
Franke Foodservice Systems, part of the Swiss-based Franke Group, is a leading provider of comprehensive systems and services for the global foodservice industry. It employs more than 1,200 associates worldwide, and manufactures and distributes a wide variety of kitchen equipment and supplies from a number of facilities in the U.S., Europe and Asia.
“We’re excited to be expanding our capacity in our Smyrna location, where the outstanding workforce and strategic location have played a huge role in serving our customers and growing our business,” Foodservice Systems President and CEO Thomas Campion said. “When we opened our Smyrna campus in 2009, we allowed for the additional space and access needed to expand, and today we take a big step in fulfilling that vision.”
With this expansion, Franke will consolidate both its commercial food equipment for container shipments, commercial shipments and its coffee machine retrieval, programming, testing and shipping operations for the North American market. In addition to the consolidation, a new separate building will be constructed for a showroom for residential kitchen items to include sinks, ovens, faucets, hoods and cooktops.
“Every time a company expands, we view it as evidence of our thriving business community,” Destination Rutherford Chairman Bill Jones said. “We appreciate Franke’s efforts in investing once again in Rutherford County, and wish the company continued success.”
“Franke is a valued member of the Smyrna business community,” Smyrna Mayor Mary Esther Reed said. “We congratulate Franke on its expansion and wish the company many years of continued success.”
“TVA and Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation congratulate Franke on its decision to expand operations in Rutherford County,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “We are proud to partner with Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, Rutherford County and city of Smyrna and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to support existing business and industry growth in the Valley.”
Smyrna and Rutherford County are represented by Sen. Bill Ketron (R – Murfreesboro), Sen. Jim Tracy (R – Shelbyville), Rep. Tim Rudd (R – Murfreesboro), Rep. Mike Sparks (R – Smyrna), Rep. Bryan Terry (R – Murfreesboro), Rep. Dawn White (R – Murfreesboro) 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 which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Team Tennessee, 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: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter: @TNECD. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/TNECD.
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