Manufacturer to create 200 jobs with first U.S. manufacturing, R&D facility
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd and HTS International Corporation officials today announced the advanced manufacturer will invest $21.4 million to establish its global headquarters and new U.S. manufacturing facility in Knox County. HTS International plans to create 200 jobs during the next four years.
“A global company can choose to establish its headquarters anywhere in the world. HTS International’s decision to establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Knox County underscores our skilled workforce and the hub of advanced manufacturing activity in Tennessee,” Haslam said. “Thanks to HTS International for investing in our state and bringing us another step closer to making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
“Employment in Tennessee’s advanced manufacturing sector has grown more than 33 percent since 2010, four times higher than the nation’s growth average for these high-skilled jobs,” Boyd said. “That type of success, fueled by innovative existing companies and the breadth of expertise found in our workforce, helps our state recruit new advanced manufacturing companies. It’s a virtuous cycle that is critical in attracting global companies such as HTS International. I’d like to welcome HTS International to Team Tennessee and look forward to the positive impact the company’s new headquarters and plant will have on Knox County and its residents.”
HTS International provides engineered thermal management solutions for tooling components in the injection molding and die casting industries. The company’s customers include OEMs, Tier 1 automotive suppliers as well as large players in the consumer products and packaging industries.
The operations in Knox County’s Pellissippi Corporate Center will be HTS International’s first facility in the U.S.
“Our core mission for our U.S. operations is making U.S. manufacturers more efficient and competitive on a global scale,” HTS International CEO William Sames said. “East Tennessee is very central and close to the manufacturers we supply. With the increasing automotive presence in the Southeast, we see the Knoxville area as a strategic location for our engineering services.”
In addition to its global and North American headquarters, HTS International plans to house an R&D lab, a metallurgical lab and industrial metal additive manufacturing equipment for production in the facility. The facility will include 10,000 square feet of office space and between 50,000 and 60,000 square feet for R&D and production.
“We are seeing our technology revolutionize the die casting and plastic molding industries,” Sames added. “By significantly reducing the cycle time of production, sometimes by 50 percent or more, we are seeing companies reshore production to the U.S. and expand existing U.S. production.”
Construction of HTS International’s new Knox County facility is expected to begin in early 2017.
Local officials and the Tennessee Valley Authority applauded HTS International for its investment in Knox County.
“Knox County is extremely lucky for HTS International to locate its headquarters, research and development and manufacturing operations in the Pellissippi Corporate Center,” Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett said. “This again stresses the importance of having a ready-to-go business park land so Knox County has a place for next generation technology companies like HTS International. The STEM-rich technology jobs that HTS International will create will provide a better quality of life for our neighbors and for that, I’m grateful.”
“The addition of an advanced manufacturing company such as HTS International and the anticipated 200 new, high-wage, high-skilled jobs over the next four years confirms The Development Corporation of Knox County’s efforts to facilitate job creation and capital investment here in Knox County,” Roger Osborne, chairman of the board of directors for The Development Corporation of Knox County, said.
“TVA and Lenoir City Utility Board congratulate HTS International on its decision to locate and create new job opportunities in Knox County,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “Attracting and retaining quality jobs and investments in our region is a fundamental part of TVA’s mission of service. We are proud to partner with the Knoxville Chamber, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to help further this mission and to help facilitate HTS International’s new location decision.”
Knoxville and Knox County are represented by Sen. Richard Briggs (R – Knoxville), Sen. Becky Massey (R – Knoxville), Sen. Randy McNally (R – Oak Ridge), Rep. Harry Brooks (R – Knoxville), Rep. Martin Daniel (R – Knoxville), Rep. Bill Dunn (R – Knoxville), Rep. Roger Kane (R – Knoxville), Rep. Eddie Smith (R – Knoxville) and Rep. Jason Zachary (R – Knoxville) 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 Team Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Tennessee is the only three-time winner of “State of the Year” for economic development by Business Facilities magazine. Find us on the web: TNECD.com. Follow us on Twitter: @TNECD. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/TNECD.
###
