Gov. Phil Bredesen and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matthew Kisber, joined with Tom Oreck, president and CEO of the Oreck Corporation, in announcing the company's expansion of manufacturing facilities to Cookeville, Tn.
The New Orleans-based manufacturer of vacuum cleaners and other home products will open a manufacturing facility in Cookeville, bringing 100 new jobs to the area consisting primarily of assembly, skilled trades and professional positions. It will be the company's second manufacturing operation in the U.S.
"This is a positive development for Tennessee, Putnam County and Cookeville," said Gov. Bredesen. "Attracting good paying manufacturing jobs is an important part of our job creation strategy. Having our efforts embraced by an industry leader like Oreck is a strong endorsement of Tennessee's business climate."
The company's president and CEO believes the new facility will be an important step for Oreck's growing business. "Our choice of Cookeville reaffirms Oreck's commitment to American manufacturing and the American worker," said Mr. Oreck. "Increased consumer demand for Oreck products calls for increased manufacturing capabilities to compliment our Long Beach, Ms. plant. Cookeville met our needs with an experienced work force, ideal geographic shipping location and outstanding commitment and cooperation from the state, county and city."
Oreck Corporation was founded in 1963 by David Oreck, who developed the popular eight pound Oreck upright vacuum cleaner. Oreck products include upright vacuum cleaners, canister vacuums with tools, multi-floor cleaning machines, air purifiers and cleaning solutions. Oreck products are sold at over 475 Oreck Clean Home Centers across the country as well as via the Internet and direct response.
Oreck entered into an agreement to purchase a 310,000-square-foot facility in Cookeville from TRW Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc.
This major national expansion by Oreck comes less than one year after the company was hit by Hurricane Katrina at both its New Orleans headquarters and Mississippi Gulf Coast manufacturing facility. The family-run, 43-year old company was the first to reopen a plant on the Gulf Coast following the disaster.