Automotive Plastics Manufacturer to Invest $65 Million, Create 300 New Jobs
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with Plastic Omnium Auto Exteriors, LLC officials today announced the company will invest $65 million to construct a new facility on 27 acres at Enterprise South Industrial Park in Chattanooga. A tier one supplier for Volkswagen and other major Southeast automotive manufacturers, Plastic Omnium will create 184 new jobs by the time it starts production in 2015 and expand its payroll to include 300 people within three years of opening.
“I want to welcome Plastic Omnium to Tennessee and thank the company for choosing Chattanooga for its latest North American operations,” Haslam said. “Companies can choose to do business anywhere in the world, and when they select Tennessee, it speaks volumes to our business friendly environment and our workforce. We are grateful for the 300 new jobs that will be created, supporting our goal to make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
“Tennessee ranks among the top 10 in the nation for job creation in the manufacturing sector and with more than 900 automotive manufacturers and suppliers located statewide, Plastic Omnium is sure to be an outstanding addition in Chattanooga,” Hagerty said. “I applaud international companies like Plastic Omnium who recognize and take advantage of Tennessee’s superior central location and logistical strength, and I appreciate the company’s decision to locate in our great state.”
Headquartered in France, Plastic Omnium has 110 plants in 30 countries, 15 of which are located in North America. The company employs 22,000 worldwide.
Plastic Omnium designs, produces and delivers front end and fender modules, multi materials and personalized global solutions for worldwide car manufacturers. The company is No. 1 worldwide for bumpers, as well as worldwide leader in the fenders and plastic body panels markets.
“Chattanooga is an ideal location for Plastic Omnium to serve the automotive industry in the Southeast,” Marc Cornet, president and CEO of the Americas at Plastic Omnium Auto Exteriors, said. “We appreciate our partnership with both local and state officials, who are working closely with us to establish this new operation.”
“It’s important that we work together with employers, like Plastic Omnium, to ensure the creation of good, middle-class jobs,” Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke said. “My focus is to support continued economic development in our city and to create more jobs for our community. That can happen when companies like Plastic Omnium grow and succeed in Chattanooga.”
Manufacturing operations at the Chattanooga facility will include injection molding, painting and assembly of automobile exterior components, such as bumpers and fenders, for sale and delivery to OEMs. Initially, all of the products will be for the production at Volkswagen Chattanooga, but Plastic Omnium will soon extend its reach to Ford, GM, Honda, Mercedes, Nissan and Toyota.
“Plastic Omnium is another success that validates our investment in Enterprise South,” Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger said. “We’ve proven we’re an outstanding manufacturing location with a well-prepared workforce. We’re striving to enhance our career readiness still further by focusing on disciplines like science, technology, engineering and math in Hamilton County Schools.”
“TVA and EPB of Chattanooga congratulate Plastic Omnium on its decision to locate operations and bring quality jobs to Chattanooga,” John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of economic development, said. “We are pleased to work with the state of Tennessee, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, city of Chattanooga and Hamilton County officials to help companies create new jobs and prosperity in the community.”
Interested persons may visit http://www.plasticomnium.com/en/job-applicants.html to view current open positions.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Tennessee was named “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: tn.gov/ecd. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.
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