Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd along with Innovate Manufacturing Inc. officials announced that the company will locate its first U.S. headquarters in Knoxville in an effort to be closer to its consumers. Innovate Manufacturing, a China-based injection molding company, will invest $4.7 million in building upgrades and renovations and create 50 new jobs in Knox County.
Innovate Manufacturing has four plastics factories and an engineering office in China, but the company chose to move a portion of its operations to the U.S.
due to lower shipping and energy costs and proximity to its client base.
“Onshoring is gaining momentum with the reduction of cost burdens for companies manufacturing their products here in the U.S.,” Boyd said. “Tennessee is beginning to generate significant job growth from the onshoring movement, and in the past twelve months, the state has added nearly 1,300 jobs from China-based projects alone. We welcome Innovate Manufacturing to Tennessee and thank the company for choosing to invest in our state and create new jobs in Knoxville.”
“Innovate Manufacturing is delighted to locate its first facility outside of China here in Knoxville,” Innovate Manufacturing Vice President of Engineering John Lin said. “By locating closer to our customers, we anticipate more growth as demand for localized manufacturing continues. The central location, competitive electricity costs, and business-friendly policies of East Tennessee helped us make our decision, and we anticipate the manufacturing community here to grow as well.”
Innovate Manufacturing produces hydration bottles, kitchen products, pet supplies, tools and other goods. The company’s Knoxville facility, located at 10340 Goldenfern Lane, will specialize in injection molding, injection stretch blow molding and extrusion blow molding. Tooling is already underway, and production will begin in late September.
“I appreciate Innovate Manufacturing’s decision to open its new operations facility in Knox County,” Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett said. “This new location will create important jobs in our community, bring substantial investment to our area and hopefully serve as the foundation for Innovate Manufacturing’s future growth in this region.”
“TVA and Lenoir City Utilities Board congratulate and welcome Innovate Manufacturing to Knoxville, Tennessee,” John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development, said. “ We are excited to partner with the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, city of Knoxville and the state of Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to help foster Innovate Manufacturing’s success at its new location.”
Knoxville and Knox County are represented by Sen. Randy McNally (R – Oak Ridge), Sen. Becky Massey (R – Knoxville), Sen. Richard Briggs (R – Knoxville), Rep. Bill Dunn (R – Knoxville), Rep. Harry Brooks (R – Knoxville), Rep. Eddie Smith (R – Knoxville), Rep. Martin Daniel (R – Knoxville), Rep. Roger Kane (R – Knoxville) and Rep. Joe Armstrong (D – Knoxville) in the Tennessee General Assembly.