Global medical device and precision technology leader to invest $12 million, create 280 new jobs
NASHVILLE — Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd along with Olympus officials announced today the company will construct a new East Coast national service and distribution center in Bartlett Corporate Park.
Olympus will invest $12 million in the facility, which will operate as a service and distribution center for a variety of Olympus medical equipment and devices such as endoscopes, surgical devices and generators, and create 280 new jobs in Shelby County.
“We thank Olympus for its continued investment in Shelby County and for helping Tennessee be a global leader in the healthcare and medical device sector,” Haslam said. “This expansion will create new opportunities for hundreds of West Tennessee families. We congratulate Olympus as we continue our work to make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
“Today’s announcement represents the largest jobs commitment made by a company in Bartlett since 2000,” Boyd said. “To have a company like Olympus that is known around the world for its innovative medical devices choose Bartlett for its new national service center speaks volumes to Tennessee’s thriving healthcare industry. We appreciate the jobs Olympus is creating for our Team Tennessee workforce and look forward to seeing the company’s continued success.”
The Bartlett facility will be Olympus’ second national service center with the company’s first location residing in San Jose, Calif. The decision to build a second national service center was based on Olympus’ need for additional capacity to handle the growth expectations in the service, supply chain and logistics areas of its medical business. Construction is expected to begin this spring.
“In addition to unparalleled products, we strive to provide world-class service to our healthcare customers every day. Our future Bartlett service and distribution center will further enable this goal as we take advantage of the unique logistics and transportation capabilities in the Memphis area, benefit from close proximity to our customers in the eastern United States, and enhance our ability to expedite turnaround times,” Nacho Abia, president and CEO of Olympus Corporation of the Americas said. “On behalf of my colleagues in our growing medical devices business, I am very much looking forward to expanding our operations in the Bartlett community and creating jobs to be filled with the area’s skilled workforce.”
Olympus is a global company with its headquarters, Olympus Corporation, based in Tokyo, Japan. Olympus Corporation of the Americas – a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus Corporation – manages the company’s operations and business activities throughout North and South America.
Local leaders and partners expressed gratitude to Olympus for its decision to expand in Bartlett and create new jobs in West Tennessee.
“We are so excited to have the additional 280 new jobs over the next five years,” Bartlett Mayor A. Keith McDonald said. “We are blest to have Olympus in Bartlett and we know they will attract many other good paying jobs and other companies to Bartlett and this area. We look forward to contributing to their success and the many great opportunities they will bring here.”
“This is another indication that companies see the advantage of expanding their businesses in our community. This is welcomed news for Shelby County,” Shelby County Mayor Mark H. Luttrell, Jr. said.
“TVA and Memphis Light Gas and Water congratulate Olympus on its decision to expand in Bartlett, Tennessee and create additional job opportunities,” said TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley. “We are proud to partner with Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce, Bartlett Industrial Development Board, city of Bartlett and Shelby County, to facilitate the growth of existing companies in our region, furthering TVA’s mission of service to attract and retain quality jobs in the Valley.”
“This announcement is great news for Bartlett, Shelby County and the state and comes at a very fitting time as Bartlett celebrates its 150th anniversary this year,” Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce President John Threadgill said. “A lot of folks from both the public and private sectors have been working hard to develop and promote our community as a medical device leader. This announcement signifies the continuing success of our efforts.”
Olympus will begin accepting online applications once positions have been posted and plans to begin hiring this summer/fall.
Bartlett and Shelby County are represented by Sen. Mark Norris (R – Collierville), Sen. Brian Kelsey (R – Germantown), Sen. Reginald Tate (D – Memphis), Sen. Lee Harris (D – Memphis), Sen. Sara Kyle (D – Memphis), Rep. Jim Coley (R – Bartlett), Rep. Ron Lollar (R – Bartlett), Rep. Steve McManus (R – Cordova), Rep. Curry Todd (R – Collierville), Rep. Mark White (R – Memphis), Rep. Raumesh Akbari (D – Memphis), Rep. Karen Camper (D – Memphis), Rep. Barbara Cooper (D – Memphis), Rep. John DeBerry (D – Memphis), Rep. G.A. Hardaway (D – Memphis), Rep. Larry Miller (D – Memphis), Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D – Memphis), Rep. Joe Towns (D – Memphis) and Rep. Johnnie Turner (D – Memphis) in the Tennessee General Assembly.
About Olympus
Olympus is a global medical device and precision technology leader focused on enhancing people’s lives every day through innovative solutions in its core business areas of Medical and Surgical Products, Scientific Solutions, and Cameras and Audio Recorders. Olympus Corporation of the Americas – a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus Corporation in Tokyo, Japan – is headquartered in Center Valley, Pennsylvania and employs more than 5,000 people across North and South America. For more information, visit Olympus at www.olympusamerica.com.
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. 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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