- Minnesota-based manufacturing company to invest nearly $12 million in expansion
- Project will create more than 70 new jobs in Tier 4 Bledsoe County
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Virnig Manufacturing, Inc. officials announced today the company will establish new operations in Pikeville.
Headquartered in Rice, Minnesota, the family-owned company will invest $11.6 million as it expands its Midwest operations to Tennessee. The expansion will create 74 new jobs in Bledsoe County, helping the company meet its growing product demands outside its current Midwest territory.
Virnig Manufacturing’s 62,000-square-foot facility, located at 403 Allen P. Deakins Road in Pikeville, will allow the company to fabricate, weld, paint, assemble and ship products to its customers.
Established in 1989, Virnig Manufacturing has served its clients through the engineering and manufacturing of skid steer attachments. Today, with roughly 180 full-time employees, the company’s product lines support many industries including construction, landscaping, forestry and agriculture.
In the last five years, TNECD has supported 85 economic development projects in Southeast Tennessee resulting in roughly 11,000 job commitments and approximately $3.4 billion in capital investment.
QUOTES
“I greatly appreciate Virnig Manufacturing for selecting Pikeville as the site for its newest manufacturing operations. Job creation in rural Tennessee is a top priority for our state, and these jobs will positively impact the Pikeville community for years to come.” – Gov. Bill Lee
“Virnig Manufacturing’s investment in Pikeville is not only a win for the community, but also for our state as it will further expand our advanced manufacturing footprint in Southeast Tennessee. We thank Virnig for its commitment to create jobs in Bledsoe County, a Tier 4, at-risk community, and congratulate Pikeville on landing this project.” – TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe
“We are excited for our first expansion outside of Minnesota and are grateful to partner with the state of Tennessee and Bledsoe County! We cannot thank the community of Pikeville enough for the warm welcome and support you have given us throughout this project. Being family-owned and operated, our values lead us, and we are glad to be joining a place where we feel those values are reflected. Thank you for the opportunity to join your community!” – Dean Virnig, president, Virnig Manufacturing, Inc.
“It is a pleasure to welcome the Virnig family to Pikeville. This is an opportunity for our citizens to attain superior local employment from a well-established and nationally respected manufacturer. Virnig is a family-owned and operated manufacturing company that is a perfect fit for Bledsoe County’s exceptional workforce. I look forward to a lengthy and prosperous relationship with the Virnig family.” – Bledsoe County Mayor Gregg Ridley
“We are very excited to have Virnig Manufacturing coming to Pikeville/Bledsoe County and bringing jobs to our community. We appreciate the help from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development in helping Virnig locate in Pikeville. We have met with the owners on several occasions and believe they will be a great asset to our community. We again want to welcome Virnig to our community.” – Pikeville Mayor Philip Cagle
“TVA and Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative congratulate Virnig Manufacturing on its decision to expand operations in Bledsoe County. Helping to support companies, like Virnig Manufacturing create new job opportunities and investment in the Valley is fundamental to TVA’s mission of service. We are proud to partner with Bledsoe County Government, City of Pikeville Government and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to further that mission and celebrate this announcement together.” – John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development
“I am pleased Virnig Manufacturing has chosen Pikeville to expand its business and locate a new facility. Their expansion to Bledsoe County is a testament to our strong local economy. I congratulate Virnig Manufacturing on their expansion and appreciate the work of state and local officials who helped secure this investment.” – Senate Commerce and Labor Committee Chairman Paul Bailey (R-Sparta)
“This is great news for Pikeville. I appreciate Virnig Manufacturing for making this strong investment in our community with the creation of these 74 new jobs. This commitment demonstrates that Bledsoe County is well-positioned for future economic growth, and I look forward to continuing to work with our local leaders to create more opportunities for our citizens.” – Rep. Ron Travis (R-Dayton)
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 Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment to the state and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.
TNECD Media Contact
Lindsey Tipton
Public Information Officer
(615) 339-6608
[email protected]
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