Specialty building products manufacturer to create 141 new jobs in Rhea County
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd and Huber Engineered Woods LLC (HEW) officials announced today the company will reopen its manufacturing facility in Spring City. Huber Engineered Woods, a leading manufacturer of specialty building products, will create 141 new jobs as part of the reopening.
“We thank Huber Engineered Woods for its decision to reopen its Spring City mill, creating more than 140 new jobs in Rhea County,” Haslam said. “Huber Engineered Woods serves thousands of building products dealers and distributers throughout North America and choosing to restart its Tennessee operations speaks volumes to Rhea County’s skilled, well-trained workforce. We appreciate Huber Engineered Woods’ continued commitment to Tennessee and for bringing us another step closer to our goal of being the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
“With over 3,700 employees at approximately 30 establishments, the manufacturing sector employs more people in Rhea County than any other industry, and we are pleased to see that number grow in Spring City because of Huber Engineered Woods,” Boyd said. “Rhea County recently advanced out of its designation as one of Tennessee’s 21 distressed counties, and I couldn’t be more proud of the efforts made by local officials and Team Tennessee for promoting everything the county has to offer, including the strength of its workforce. I thank Huber Engineered Woods for reopening its Spring City facility and creating new opportunities for nearly 150 Tennesseans.”
HEW’s Spring City facility, located northeast of Chattanooga, is currently undergoing upgrades in preparation of manufacturing specialty panel products including AdvanTech® subflooring and ZIP System® sheathing products beginning in April 2018.
The facility is one of only five continuous press operations in North America dedicated to the production of oriented strand board (OSB) products.
“The reopening of our Spring City mill is an indication of the strength and resiliency of our ZIP System® and AdvanTech® branded products,” Huber Engineered Woods President Brian Carlson said. “This operational investment will increase our company’s production capacity and further enhance our product availability and highly regarded customer service.
“We are thankful for the support we received from the State of Tennessee, TVA and Rhea County for the reopening of the Spring City facility. Governor Bill Haslam, Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd, TVA Senior Vice President John Bradley and Rhea County Executive George Thacker and their teams played instrumental roles in our decision-making process for the re-start of our Spring City location,” Carlson added.
The facility originally opened in 1997, but halted production during the housing market downturn in 2011. The decision to reopen the mill comes as welcome news to executives in Rhea County and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
“I want to personally thank the Rhea County Commission for its full support. With the help of the State of Tennessee, TVA and other partners, we are thrilled to have successfully competed for this project and secure 141 jobs,” Rhea County Executive George Thacker said. “Living in Rhea County, I know what an impact this will have on our community, and we appreciate Huber Engineered Woods’ reinvestment in the county.”
“I am very excited about landing the Huber Engineered Woods project, and I’m especially excited for the people of this community,” Spring City Mayor Billy Ray Patton said. “Huber Engineered Woods will offer great paying jobs right here in Spring City.”
“TVA and Volunteer Electric Cooperative congratulate Huber Engineered Woods on this exciting announcement in Spring City, Tennessee,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “We are proud to serve with our partners, the Rhea Economic and Tourism Council and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to help foster continued growth in the Valley.”
Huber Engineered Woods will begin hiring at its Spring City facility in early 2017, with the mill scheduled to begin full production in April 2018.
Spring City and Rhea County are represented by Sen. Ken Yager (R – Kingston) and Rep. Ron Travis (R – Dayton) in the Tennessee General Assembly.
About Huber Engineered Woods
Huber Engineered Woods LLC continually strives to create innovative products that suit customers’ needs. Specialty products AdvanTech® flooring and sheathing, AdvanTech™ subfloor adhesive, ZIP System® wall and ZIP System® roof products, ZIP System™ tape, ZIP System™ stretch tape and ZIP System™ liquid flash each deliver outstanding performance, easy installation and great strength in single family, multifamily and light commercial projects. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Huber Engineered Woods has manufacturing operations in Maine, Georgia, Virginia, and Oklahoma, as well as research and development facilities in Georgia. Huber Engineered Woods also serves industrial markets with products for door manufacturers and the transportation industry. For more information, visit huberwood.com.
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.
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