Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty, along with Van-Rob Manchester officials announced the company will add 104 jobs to its manufacturing facility on Volunteer Parkway in Manchester. Van-Rob, a Tier 1 supplier to the major automobile manufacturers, will create 104 new jobs and invest $16.8 million at its Coffee County facility.
“I want to thank Van-Rob for its continued investment in Tennessee and the new jobs created in Coffee County,” Haslam said. “Our Jobs4TN strategy identifies Tennessee’s unique competitive advantage in the automotive industry, and with more than 105,000 Tennesseans employed in auto manufacturing, these expansions help us toward our goal of becoming the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
“Tennessee is in prime position to capitalize as the global automotive industry shifts its focus to the Southeast,” Hagerty said. “I’m pleased Van-Rob recognizes the potential to grow their business in Tennessee and all over the country by taking advantage of our central location, high quality workforce and favorable business climate.”
”As a rapidly expanding Tier One auto supplier, location is a critical component to our success. Tennessee's dedicated workforce, great infrastructure, and pro-business climate make the state the perfect place to expand our operations of Engineered Lightweight Automotive Solutions,” Van-Rob CEO Dennis Berry said. “Cooperation from local and state leadership with our firm and our real estate advisor, Plante Moran Cresa, demonstrated their commitment to economic development. This is a great place to call home.”
“We would like to thank our ownership, Van-Rob Inc. and KIRCHHOFF Automotive, for the confidence they have placed in us by investing in this expansion. Our associates have demonstrated a commitment to deliver a high quality product and also to the success of Van-Rob,” Van-Rob Manchester General Manager Rick Burchett said. “We would also like to thank the local representatives of Coffee County and Manchester for their support through the years and also to the state of Tennessee and the Department of Economic and Community Development for all their support.”
“Van-Rob has been a member of our local industry for several years and we are happy to see that, with these expansions, they are continuing their involvement in our community.” Coffee County Mayor David Pennington said. “We appreciate everything they have done, and continue to do, for our community.”
“We are pleased to learn that Van-Rob is expanding and as a result, these expansions will provide more job opportunities to the people of Manchester,” Manchester Mayor Lonnie Norman said.
“Coffee County is fortunate to have the Van-Rob operations located in the Coffee County Interstate Industrial Park,” Chairman of the Coffee County Industrial Board Bill Comer said. “Van-Rob has provided numerous jobs to our citizens over the years, and we look forward to continuing our involvement with them for years to come.”
The expansion will take place in two separate phases. The first phase will allow Van-Rob to consolidate two plants, both located on Volunteer Parkway, under one roof. The 42,500 square foot addition will bring Van-Rob’s manufacturing space to 112,000 square feet at its Coffee County facility. This expansion is scheduled for completion in December, 2013. The second phase will add 36,000 square foot to the facility’s press shop. This addition will allow for larger transfer presses for future growth. The second phase is scheduled for completion in 2014/2015.
About Van-Rob
Van-Rob is part of KIRCHHOFF Automotive. The Van-Rob Manchester facility has been supplying the automotive industry with high quality parts such as fuel doors and cross car beams since 1997. Van-Rob, Inc. is headquartered in Aurora, Canada and is a Tier One supplier to the major automobile manufacturers. Van-Rob is a full-service, rapidly expanding automotive industry leader in the design and manufacture of metal stampings, modular welded assemblies, structural welded assemblies, mechanical assemblies and heat shields for thermal applications.
About KIRCHHOFF Automotive
KIRCHHOFF Automotive is a family-owned company with a history stretching back more than 225 years. The Company is part of the globally active KIRCHHOFF Group, together with the FAUN Group, KIRCHHOFF Mobility, and WITTE. Headquartered in Iserholm, Germany, KIRCHHOFF Automotive has comprehensive production locations in Europe, Asia and North America. Their global production network includes the core technologies of lightweight construction, forming, joining, and surface treatment, ensuring uniform manufacturing and production standards around the world. Products such as bumper systems, front end modules, and cross car members are assembled at JIT facilities that are located in the immediate vicinity of their customers. For more information visit www.kirchhoff-group.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.tn.gov/ecd.