Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with Meiwa Industry officials announced the company will open its first U.S. plant in Lewisburg, Tenn. The announcement by the automotive components supplier represents an investment of $6.1 million and will create 98 new jobs in Marshall County.
“Tennessee continues to prove it is a great place for a global company’s operations with our central location, strong transportation infrastructure and business-friendly climate,” Hagerty said. “I welcome Meiwa Industry to Tennessee and thank the company for its investment and confidence in the state’s quality workforce. We are focused on doing all we can to position Meiwa Industry for success and look forward to the project serving as a basis for long-term job growth in the area.”
“Thanks to the great effort of the city of Lewisburg, Marshall County, the government of Tennessee and everyone concerned as we celebrate the groundbreaking of our first U.S. plant,” Meiwa Industry President Toshihiko Shimizu said. “We look forward to providing lightweight, high-rigidity and eco-friendly interior parts for car manufacturers throughout North America.”
Headquartered in Atsugi, Japan, Meiwa Industry’s Lewisburg facility will be located at 1041 Veterans Drive. The company currently supplies products to Japanese car manufacturers, including Nissan, Toyota and Honda. Along with establishing a base for North American operations, the Lewisburg facility will allow Meiwa Industry to eventually extend its services to other carmakers in the future.
“We are so very proud to be chosen as the location for Meiwa’s first North American facility,” former Lewisburg Mayor Barbara Woods said. Woods left office June 1 after choosing not to seek re-election. “This shows just how proactive we are in Lewisburg when it comes to recruiting new industries and welcoming them to our ever-expanding family of companies that drive our economic engine.”
“Such wonderful news that Meiwa will be part of the Lewisburg family,” Lewisburg Mayor Jim Bingham said. “I welcome this fine company, and I look forward to working with them. My compliments to Mayor Woods, the Industrial Development Board and so many others that spent countless hours on this endeavor.”
“Meiwa is a quality company, and they are going to be a perfect fit for us,” Lewisburg Director of Economic Development Greg Lowe said. “This is only the beginning of a partnership that has been months in the making, and I cannot say enough about the partners that helped to make this happen from the state of Tennessee, Marshall County, TVA, MTIDA, South Central Tennessee Development District, South Central Workforce Board Alliance, Truette Construction, St. John Engineering and Dewey Gray Engineering Associates. The level of professional support we were able to put into practice on this project cannot be overstated.”
“TVA welcomes Meiwa Industry as they establish their first North American automotive parts manufacturing facility in Lewisburg, Tennessee,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “TVA and Lewisburg Electric System are privileged to partner with the state of Tennessee, MTIDA, Lewisburg ECD, city of Lewisburg and Marshall County officials to assist with Meiwa’s site location decision and continued growth in the community.”
Using a unique plastic extrusion molding and trim cut technology, Meiwa Industry specializes in the manufacturing and sales of high quality automotive interior parts including seat back panels, head liners, and trunk and floor components. The company is projected to begin initial operations in April 2014.
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. 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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