Governor Bill Haslam, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Miller Industries, Inc. officials announced on Thursday that the manufacturer has made a significant investment to expand its operations in Ooltewah, resulting in the creation of approximately 175 jobs over a five-year period. This expansion effort began in late 2016 and was completed in the first quarter of 2018.
“I’m delighted to see Miller Industries expand and create about 175 jobs in Ooltewah and Hamilton County,” Governor Haslam said.
“This expansion underscores the progress we’ve made to ensure Tennessee is a place where businesses invest, grow and create jobs. Companies like Miller Industries recognize that our state’s business-friendly environment makes it easy to add jobs, and such companies are a major reason why Tennessee will lead in the creation of high quality jobs.”
“As an international business, Miller Industries could invest and create jobs anywhere in the world,” Commissioner Rolfe said. “I’d like to thank Miller Industries for making this significant investment in its hometown of Ooltewah. Miller Industries already employs hundreds of Tennesseans, and we look forward to the long-term benefits 175 additional jobs will have on the residents of Hamilton County and its surrounding communities.”
Miller Industries manufactures high quality towing and recovery equipment. The company markets its products under the Century, Vulcan, Challenger, Holmes, Champion, Chevron, Eagle, Titan, Jige and Boniface brand names.
Founded in 1990, Miller Industries employs approximately 750 between its two Tennessee locations in Ooltewah and Greeneville. The company also operates facilities in Pennsylvania, the United Kingdom and France. As part of the Ooltewah expansion, Miller Industries has hired new manufacturing and administrative personnel.
“We are very pleased with our new facility improvements and are proud of the impact it has on our community,” said Jeff Badgley, Co-CEO of Miller Industries, Inc. “With these additions, our Ooltewah, Tennessee facility now contains approximately 331,000 square feet of world class manufacturing and administrative space.”
"It's always great to see a company continuing to invest in our community and creating job opportunities that expand our wage growth and lower unemployment," Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke said.
"We consider Miller Industries one of our legacy companies that continue to play a key part in Hamilton County's economic development," Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger said. "Nothing is more gratifying than to see one of our homegrown companies expand. We appreciate the multi-million dollar investment and 175 jobs that will come with this investment."