Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd along with Magneti Marelli officials announced the company will expand its Automotive Lighting Division in Pulaski, Tennessee and create 450 new jobs. The expansion will add 80,000 square feet to Magneti Marelli’s manufacturing facility located at 181 Bennett Drive and will supply head lamps to FCA, Mercedes, GM, Volkswagen and Honda vehicles.
“We want to thank Magneti Marelli for today’s announcement of 450 new jobs and for further investing in Giles County,” Haslam said. “With more than 900 auto suppliers and manufacturers in Tennessee, our state’s reputation, strength and momentum in the auto industry continue to grow, helping us toward our goal of becoming the No.1 state in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
“Congratulations to Magneti Marelli on this latest expansion in Tennessee. I’m thankful for the new jobs being created and the confidence it shows in our workforce,” Boyd said. “We are working hard to align our business recruitment efforts with education to ensure companies like Magneti Marelli have a skilled pipeline of well-trained employees.”
Employing more than 950 people in Tennessee, two Magneti Marelli business areas are located in Giles County – the Shock Absorbers Division, which designs and manufactures suspension modules and components, and the Automotive Lighting Division, which currently produces headlamps for FCA and Mercedes.
Magneti Marelli announced the addition of its Pulaski lighting manufacturing in June 2012, with production officially beginning a year later. The Automotive Lighting Manufacturing facility is the company’s first in the U.S. and third in North America.
"An existing industry expansion is a very positive sign that doing business in our community has been successful and profitable. The Economic Development Commission and the Industrial Development Board have jointly worked hard to make Giles County an attractive and easy place to do business," Giles County Economic Development Commission Executive Director Daniel Speer said.
"As County Mayor, I know everyone in Giles County is excited about Automotive Lighting expansion and growth. I know this expansion is a positive reflection upon the quality of our workforce and the current management at Automotive Lighting. My office along with the entire County Commission looks forward to working with Automotive Lighting," Giles County Mayor Janet Vanzant said.
"Automotive Lighting's expansion is great news for Pulaski and all of Giles County. The Pulaski City Council is focused on creating the type of business environment that encourages industrial investments which creates employment opportunities for all citizens. Magneti Marelli and Automotive Lighting are remarkably successful businesses and great corporate citizens, and we look forward to working with them," Pulaski Mayor Pat Ford said.
"TVA and Pulaski Electric System congratulate Magneti Marelli on its latest plans to expand and create hundreds of new quality jobs in Pulaski,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. "It’s always an exciting day when an existing company is committed to continuing growth in our rural communities, and we are pleased to partner with the state of Tennessee, Pulaski-Giles County Economic Development Council, city of Pulaski and Giles County to celebrate this announcement.”
The expansion is scheduled to be complete in 2015, and more information regarding hiring can be made available to interested applicants who contact the plant directly.
Pulaski and Giles County are represented by Sen. Joey Hensley (R - Hohenwald) and Rep. Barry Doss (R - Leoma).
About Magneti Marelli
Magneti Marelli produces advanced systems and components for the automobile industry. Its parent company, Magneti Marelli S.p.A., was founded in Italy in 1919 and is headquartered near Milan, Italy. With 89 production units, 12 R&D centers and 26 application centers in 19 countries, the group supplies all leading carmakers in Europe, North and South America and the Asia. Magneti Marelli is part of FCA. www.magnetimarelli.com.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: www.tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/tnecd.