The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Source:
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 02:37 PM
DENSO Brings $190M Investment To McMinn Facility, 320 Jobs To Athens
DENSO said they will create 320 jobs and invest $190 million in the McMinn County facility.
The investment will add four new production lines in Athens. The Athens facility makes fuel injectors, fuel pumps, oxygen sensors, ignition coils, monolithic carriers and spark plugs.
“For years, DENSO has been the linchpin of McMinn County’s economy and today the company employs approximately 1,375 people, more than any business in the county,” Rolfe said. “The new investment and job creation from DENSO in Athens underscore the robust business environment that Tennessee offers global automotive companies.”
The announcement is the latest in a series of DENSO investments in Tennessee. In 2017, the company made a $1 billion investment in its Maryville facility.
"McMinn County is extremely proud of the fact that DENSO in Athens continues to thrive,” McMinn County Mayor John M. Gentry said. “The faith DENSO exhibits in this community is incredibly humbling. This expansion will improve the quality of life for several hundred McMinn County families. The positive effects will have a resounding and lasting impact on the local economy."
DENSO has three locations in the state - Maryville, Athens, and Jackson. Those facilities employ nearly 4,500 people in the state.
The expansion in Athens is expected to create 320 jobs across production, facility operations, engineering, administration and other skilled-traded positions.
Job opportunities at the Athens location are posted on their website.