WNA Chattanooga, a leading manufacturer of disposable foodservice packaging, plans to increase its investment in the Chattanooga area by $11 million to add two new production lines and 40 new jobs.
WNA will add a small format manufacturing facility in Chattanooga that will supply thermoformed containers to customers in the Southeast and Central U.S.
“As we’ve noted with our last expansion, we are the primary U.S. thermoforming operation for WNA,” said Greg Dempsey, WNA Chattanooga vice president of operations. “There is a strong potential for growth within the small format footprint that we will be initiating, and with this addition, we are able to greatly expand our product offering.”
WNA plans to purchase and install high-speed thermoforming machines to manufacture products such as clam shells and hinged container packaging. The company will lease 40,000 square feet on Quintus Loop initially, and within three years will take over the remainder of the building, rounding out the operation at 67,000 square feet capable of housing up to 12 production lines.
“WNA is a longstanding employer in our community,” said Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger. “We’re excited to see an industry leader in plastic food service products continue to create family-wage jobs for Chattanoogans.”
“A few months ago, I had the opportunity to tour WNA, see some of the products they create and meet several of their employees,” said Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke. “Not only does this expansion help reinforce our city as a major force in the manufacturing industry, it creates more good, middle-class jobs for Chattanoogans.”
Charles Wood, vice president of economic development for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, also applauded WNA’s expansion as “a great example of a company successfully building on Chattanooga’s strengths as a center of manufacturing.”