China-based auto supplier to invest $13.2 million, create 200 jobs
LEWISBURG, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Minth Group Ltd. officials announced today that the automotive supplier will invest $13.2 million over the next five years to establish a manufacturing facility in Marshall County.
Minth plans to create approximately 200 new jobs at the Lewisburg plant, which will expand the company’s presence in the United States and support its growth.
“For two of the last three years, Tennessee has led the U.S. in new jobs from foreign direct investment,” Haslam said. “We’ve made the recruitment of international companies a major focus of our economic development efforts and I’m pleased to welcome yet another strong international company with a proven track record to Tennessee. Minth Group’s commitment to create approximately 200 jobs in Lewisburg brings us closer to making Tennessee the No. 1 location in Southeast for high quality jobs.”
“Tennessee has benefitted from the strong growth of international companies that operate in our state,” Rolfe said. “More than 900 foreign-owned businesses recognize the advantages Tennessee’s skilled workforce, business-friendly environment and central location offer. Thank you, Minth, for making this significant investment and creating 200 new jobs in Marshall County.”
Based in China, Minth is a leading designer and manufacturer of structural body, trim and decorative parts for the automotive industry. Worldwide, Minth has 40 production plants that support automotive markets in 29 different countries. As a tier-1 supplier, Minth serves almost all major automotive OEMs and its customer base represents 80 percent of the global auto market. Minth employs more than 13,000 people worldwide.
“Ten years ago, we took a major step towards globalization by establishing our presence in the United States with our manufacturing facility in Michigan,” Jimmy Chen, COO of Minth Group, said. “Today, I am delighted to see that Minth continues to grow within North America as well as globally. In particular, we are very excited for the opportunity to invest in Tennessee, which has provided us with great support. We also look forward to providing our customers with better and more immediate support from this new location.”
Minth will renovate an existing 125,000-square-foot facility at 1801 Childress Road in Lewisburg. The company’s plant in Marshall County will have full manufacturing capabilities and also act as a distribution warehouse for parts manufactured at Minth facilities abroad.
Local elected officials and the Tennessee Valley Authority applauded Minth for its decision to locate the new manufacturing facility in Marshall County.
“We are so grateful for any new industry that chooses Lewisburg to call home and we stand ready to be a partner to Minth,” Lewisburg Mayor Jim Bingham said. “We are pleased to welcome another company from Asia to our family of manufacturers.”
“It is such an honor and privilege to welcome a new company to Marshall County,” Marshall County Mayor Joe B. Liggett said. “We would like to thank Minth’s officials, the state officials and all those that had a hand in helping this fine industry locate in Marshall County. We look forward to the many years of working together in cooperation to make this a successful venture.”
“TVA and Lewisburg Electric System congratulate Minth on its decision to locate in Lewisburg, Tennessee, and create new quality job opportunities,” John Bradley, TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development, said. “We are privileged to partner with the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation, the State of Tennessee and the City of Lewisburg to facilitate growth in the Tennessee Valley.”
Lewisburg and Marshall County are represented by Sen. Jim Tracy (R – Shelbyville) and Rep. Rick Tillis (R – Lewisburg) 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.
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