Leading American boat seat manufacturer creating 74 jobs with Savannah expansion
SAVANNAH, Tenn. – Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd and the Wise Company, Inc. today announced that the manufacturer will create 74 new jobs and expand its current facility in Savannah.
“While you hear about manufacturing jobs heading overseas, the manufacturing industry in Tennessee is thriving,” Boyd said. “Employment in Tennessee’s manufacturing sector has grown by over 15 percent since 2010, more than double the national growth rate. The Wise Company and other manufacturers want to do business in a place that supports innovation, values craftsmanship and provides a skilled pipeline of future talent. We offer those things in Tennessee and I’d like to thank the Wise Company for its decision to expand and create more meaningful jobs for Hardin County residents.”
During the next two years, the Wise Company plans to expand its current Savannah facility by adding approximately 75,000 square feet of production and warehouse space. The expansion will also allow the Wise Company to merge its engineering and prototyping responsibilities into one facility.
“We are proud to expand our operations in the great state of Tennessee and appreciate the support the Wise Company has received from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development in order to make this transition possible,” Wise Company President Mike Monroe said. “We believe that bringing these jobs closer to home will allow us to manage our growth more effectively and we are confident that our team of employees in Savannah will make this a success.”
Founded in 1961 by Charles W. Wise and acquired in 2005 by the Canale family, the Wise Company manufactures seat assemblies and related items for several industries with a primary focus on the boating and marine industry.
Headquartered in Memphis, the Wise Company is a leading manufacturer of boat seating and interiors, supplying both the OEM and aftermarket marine industry. Additional industries served by the Wise Company include ambulance, forklifts, lawn and garden equipment, golf carts and other equipment for customers worldwide. Construction on the new building will begin in 2017. It is expected to be operational by early 2018.
“Hardin County is proud of the success of the Wise Company and we are grateful that it has chosen to make a further expansion here,” Hardin County Mayor Kevin Davis said. “ This is a great example of public-private cooperation. We wish the Wise Company great success and look forward to its continued growth in Hardin County.”
“Savannah recognizes that our job growth depends on tourism, new business startups, and as with the Wise Company, the expansion of an existing business,” Savannah Mayor Bob Shutt said. “When a great company with a long local history like the Wise Company makes the decision to expand here at home, I feel especially proud for both the new jobs and the confidence that the Wise Company is placing in our community.”
Savannah and Hardin County are represented by Sen. Dolores Gresham (R – Somerville) and Rep. David Byrd (R – Waynesboro) 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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