Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd along with Gruppo Concorde officials announced the company chose Mt. Pleasant to build its first U.S. manufacturing facility where it will produce porcelain tiles. Gruppo Concorde, through its North American subsidiary UST Inc., will invest approximately $80 million to construct a new 600,000 square foot facility on 96 acres in Maury County, creating 180 new jobs.
“We want to thank Gruppo Concorde for its investment in Tennessee and the 180 new jobs they are creating in Maury County,” Haslam said. “Having this global company locate its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Tennessee says something—that we compete with anyone as we continue our work to become the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
Gruppo Concorde was founded in 1968, and with over 2,200 employees worldwide, the company has expanded to become one of the largest producers of high-end ceramic tile, operating production sites in Italy, France and Russia and exporting its products to more than 130 countries around the globe.
“Tennessee continues to build upon its reputation as the North American location choice for the international tile manufacturing industry,” Boyd said. “Since 2011, five ceramics companies have committed a total of 630 new jobs to our state. Gruppo Concorde, and the jobs they are creating, is a valuable addition to the community, and I look forward to their continued growth and success in Tennessee.”
“We have chosen Tennessee for a number of reasons, including the state’s vibrant and business-friendly environment and the warm and proactive welcome we have received from the local community in Maury County,” Gruppo Concorde Executive and UST Inc. President and CEO Federico Curioni said. “Tennessee is also very close to some of the most important raw material used in the tile industry, such as plastic clay and feldspar, which greatly benefits our production capabilities.”
UST Inc. is building this new facility, to be located at 1433 North Main St. in Mt. Pleasant, in order to increase Gruppo Concorde presence on the U.S. market. Through this expansion, Gruppo Concorde will be able to improve its services and products portfolio.
“We are ecstatic to have an internationally recognized company such as Gruppo Concorde locating to Maury County,” Maury County Mayor Charlie Norman said. ”Over the last two years, The Maury Alliance, The Industrial Development Board of Maury County, Maury County Government, and the City of Mount Pleasant have been working hard to ensure this project came to fruition. This is a prime example of what community teamwork can accomplish and I am proud of all of those involved.”
“TVA and Mount Pleasant Power System congratulate Gruppo Concorde on its decision to start new operations and create quality jobs in Mount Pleasant,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “We are pleased to partner with the state of Tennessee, the Maury Alliance, South Central Tennessee Development District, City of Mount Pleasant and Maury County officials to facilitate Gruppo Concorde’s finding its optimum location.”
Approximately 1,260 Tennesseans are employed in the ceramics industry, representing an increase of more than 14 percent from 2010-2014.
UST Inc. expects construction to begin this month and plans to have the facility operational by the second half of 2016.
The company will begin hiring for these new positions sometime in the second half of 2015, and will later communicate the details for the application process.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Tennessee was named 2014 and 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: www.tnecd.com . Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/tnecd.