NASHVILLE—Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd along with Institutional Casework Inc. (ICI) officials announced the company will expand its current operations in Tennessee, opening a new manufacturing facility in Union City. ICI is expanding due to market demand and will invest $6.2 million in this new facility, creating 200 new jobs in Obion County.
“We want to thank Institutional Casework Inc. for choosing to expand in Tennessee and the new jobs in Union City and Obion County,” Haslam said. “Our focus has been not only fostering a business climate that helps businesses be created here but also grow and succeed, and it’s exciting to see companies like ICI thriving and expanding their footprint here in Tennessee.”
“Institutional Casework Inc. started their business in West Tennessee in 2006 and is once again making an impact on this area by expanding and creating valuable new jobs,” Boyd said. “I appreciate ICI’s investment in Tennessee and I look forward to their continued success in our state.”
“Our industry realized a dramatic change in just the last few months and, we needed a building where we could take immediate possession with little or no adaptations required,” ICI President and CEO Jim Arthurs said. “For several months, ICI investigated potential sites in Henry, Carroll and Obion counties. We were delighted to find a building of adequate size, with a skilled workforce in place and where local city and county governments were willing to work with us.”
The Obion County facility will be located at the Lennox Building at 503 E. Reelfoot Ave. in Union City. This expansion in Union City will house the manufacturing of ICI laboratory-grade painted steel casework and furniture, phenolic laboratory casework and work surfaces under the division name ICI Laboratory Products Division of Union City.
Established in 2006, ICI is a West Tennessee-based corporation. ICI builds laboratories and learning environments for K-12 schools, community colleges, universities and the pharmaceutical industry. ICI is known for flexible, functional and innovative products. The company offers design assistance and coordinates projects through casework, fixtures, custom fume hoods, work surfaces, safety showers, work stations and overhead service centers from start to finish.
“We are very excited about ICI coming to Obion County and Union City,” Obion County Mayor Bennie McGuire said. “This company will provide much needed employment opportunities in our area. We are committed to working with ICI in any way possible to enhance their manufacturing process and their company growth in our region.”
“We are so thankful that ICI selected Union City,” Union City Mayor Terry Hailey said. “They are good people with a great company and I think they will really be impressed with our workforce. We welcome ICI to our community.”
“ICI is a welcome addition to Union City,” Obion County Joint Economic Council Chairman, Art Sparks, said. “Our mission at the JEDC is to foster an environment for job creation through both expansion and new investments. ICI’s 200 new jobs will strengthen our tax base in the form of both sales and property taxes, which are used to fund our city and county governments and local schools. Ultimately, this new location for ICI is a win-win for everyone.”
“Congratulations to Institutional Casework Inc. on its decision to expand and open a new facility in Union City, Tennessee,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “TVA and Union City Electric System are privileged to partner with the state of Tennessee, Obion County Joint Economic Development Council, Union City and Obion County to facilitate highly impactful new job creation in the Valley region. “
All ICI products and brands are sold nationally and internationally through an extensive network of dealer/distributors for casework specific to educational K-12, college and university, health care, pharmaceutical, industrial, petro-chemical, municipal, library, athletic and OEM markets.
The company hopes to begin metal casework production in early 2016. ICI is working with the Tennessee Career Center in Union City to host a job fair later this year.
Union City and Obion County are represented by Senator John Stevens (R – Huntingdon), Rep. Bill Sanderson (R – Kenton) and Rep. Andy Holt (R – Dresden).
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Tennessee was named 2014 and 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: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.
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