Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with Colgate-Palmolive announced the company will build a new manufacturing plant to make oral care products in Morristown. Colgate-Palmolive, one of the world’s leading consumer products companies, will invest $25 million in manufacturing equipment and building and infrastructure improvements, and create 75 new jobs in Hamblen County.
“Colgate-Palmolive is a globally recognized company, and I am happy to hear its growing needs will be fulfilled right here in Tennessee,” Hagerty said. “With a presence in more than 200 countries and territories around the world, Colgate-Palmolive has made a remarkable impact on the corporate landscape of East Tennessee in just a few short years. I appreciate the company’s decision to expand in Morristown and am pleased to know that Tennessee and its workforce will continue to play an important role in the company’s future plans and successes.”
“We’re pleased with the opportunity to open this new operation in Tennessee and to build on the success we have had in Morristown,” Mike Corbo, vice president, Global Supply Chain, for Colgate-Palmolive, said. “Hamblen County offers us a talented workforce and excellent access to markets, and we appreciate the continued support of the state of Tennessee, Hamblen County, the city of Morristown and their Industrial Development Board.”
Colgate-Palmolive plans to build a stand-alone facility adjacent to its current Colgate Total toothpaste plant, which located to Morristown in 2008. Construction on the new facility, which will include production of products sold to dental professionals through the company’s Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals business, will begin this year with occupancy slated for early 2015 and full employment by late 2015.
Colgate-Palmolive will create 75 new jobs, the majority of which will be dedicated to general light manufacturing positions including line operators, mechanical and electrical, and warehouse.
“It is exciting to see the continued growth of Colgate-Palmolive in our city,” Morristown Mayor Danny Thomas said. “The announcement of an 80,000 square foot expansion and $25 million investment in their facilities, along with 75 new jobs for our community is good news for the city of Morristown. We appreciate their continued confidence in our city and their positive spirit as a good corporate citizen and look forward to their continued success.”
“It is great news and further confirmation that Morristown/Hamblen County is a great place to do business when a multi-national corporation makes a significant addition to its operation here,” Hamblen County Mayor Bill Brittain said. “I thank the Colgate corporate management team for making the decision to expand its Morristown operation, and I congratulate the Colgate employees in Morristown who do a great job producing a quality product and being a good corporate citizen.”
Colgate-Palmolive is one of the world’s leading consumer products companies. Its brands include some of the most recognizable consumer products in the world including Colgate toothpaste, Palmolive detergent, Murphy Oil Soap, Ajax and Speed Stick. The company is supported by a global staff of more than 30,000 employees.
“TVA congratulates Colgate on this expansion which adds another facility to its Morristown operations and provides new jobs in the Morristown/Hamblen County area,” John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development, said. “TVA and Morristown Utility Systems are pleased to be economic development partners with the state of Tennessee, Morristown Industrial Board and area community leaders to help existing companies grow.”
“Colgate’s new facility in the Morristown Airport Industrial District is certainly a boost for Morristown and the Lakeway Area,” R. Jack Fishman, chairman of the Industrial Board of the City of Morristown, said. “The decision to build this new state of the art facility here is a credit to their employees, management and customers.”
About Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, tightly focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. Colgate sells its products in over 200 countries and territories around the world under such internationally recognized brand
names as Colgate, Palmolive, Mennen, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, elmex, Tom's of Maine, Sanex, Ajax, Axion, Soupline, and Suavitel, as well as Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet. For more information about Colgate's global business, visit the Company's web site at http://www.colgatepalmolive.com. To learn more about Colgate's global oral health education program, Bright Smiles, Bright Futures™, please visit http://www.colgatebsbf.com.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Tennessee was named “2013 State of the Year” for economic development by Business Facilities magazine. 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: tn.gov/ecd. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.