Walk-in cooler, freezer and environmental chamber manufacturer to create 64 new job
NASHVILLE — Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd along with KPS Global LLC officials announced today the company will expand in Piney Flats. The walk-in cooler, freezer and environmental chamber manufacturer will invest $1.5 million and create 64 new jobs in Sullivan County.
“Over 344,000 Tennesseans work in manufacturing and that number will continue to rise exponentially with the help of companies like KPS Global choosing to grow in our state,” Boyd said. “I want to thank KPS Global for expanding in Sullivan County and for creating more than 60 new jobs for our Team Tennessee workforce.”
KPS Global will add 37,000 square feet to its current facility in Sullivan County. In addition, KPS Global will locate a portion of its operations into a second building in the same industrial park to increase both the manufacturing and warehousing areas. Construction is expected to be completed by early 2017.
“With this expansion, KPS Global has also signed a new lease on the facility and is committed to growing the business and volume of work being performed in the newly expanded facility,” Trey Cown, KPS Global vice president of operations, said. “KPS Global LLC has added many new positions over the past year and will look to continue to add jobs with the anticipated growth.”
“This is a huge vote of confidence in the Piney Flats team and Tri-Cities communities,” KPS Global Plant Manager Rick Newberry added.
KPS Global, which has been located in Sullivan County since 1996, is a leader in the manufacturing and installation of walk-in cooler products and environmental chambers. The company serves the supermarket, convenience store, scientific and industrial markets.
“KPS Global has been a preferred employer for some time in Sullivan County, so it is gratifying to have them reinvest in our community and state, and it speaks to our position as a business destination,” Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey said. “Nothing makes a stronger statement to other companies that might be considering a move to our state than our existing companies thriving here.”
“KPS Global had some other compelling options in the Southeast and East Coast to make this move, not to mention buildings and sites in Northeast Tennessee, but because of the productivity of its Piney Flats workforce, its leadership made the decision to expand the current facility and that speaks volumes,” Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable said. “I’d like to commend NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership, particularly Brian Ritz, for working with KPS leadership throughout a very competitive process to secure this expansion and enable KPS Global to continue to benefit from the outstanding workforce and grow here in Sullivan County.”
“TVA, Bristol Tennessee Essential Services and Johnson City Power Board congratulate KPS Global on its decision to expand in Sullivan County,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “Helping to create new job opportunities is fundamental to TVA’s mission of service. We are pleased to partner with NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership, Sullivan County, and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to help further that mission.”
Piney Flats and Sullivan County are represented by Sen. Jon Lundberg (R – Bristol), Rep. Timothy Hill (R – Blountville), Rep. Bud Hulsey (R – Kingsport) and Rep. John Crawford (R – Kingsport) 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 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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