Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd along with Sole Supports officials announced the company will open a new manufacturing facility in Hohenwald, expanding its current operations. The foot orthotics manufacturer will invest $500,000 and create 54 new jobs in Lewis County.
“It is great news to have Sole Supports expanding in Lewis County,” Boyd said. “Over 9,400 Tennesseans are employed in medical equipment and supplies manufacturing and it is great to see that number grow with the help of Sole Supports. I want to thank Sole Supports for choosing to expand in our state and for creating valuable jobs for our Team Tennessee workforce.”
Sole Supports is an innovator for foot correction, casting and manufacturing technology. The company has created a new paradigm for foot correction. Sole Supports’ customers include podiatrists, chiropractors, physical therapists and the military. The company serves customers globally but the product is not sold publically.
“Hohenwald was chosen as the home of our new facility due to its proximity to our Lyles location and the acquisition of a former textile manufacturing building that was well-suited for our needs,” Sole Supports COO Ken Burks said. “We are very fortunate to find ourselves poised for growth and expansion and happily found all the attributes we need in the Hohenwald community to support our expected growth.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to grow and will continue developing and growing the Lyles operation as we develop the Hohenwald facility. The herculean efforts and support of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Lewis County and Hohenwald City governments were tremendously important to influencing our decision to make Hohenwald the home of our expansion. Each has made the project easier and better than we could have on our own. We thank them and the citizens of Lewis County for rolling out the welcome mat for us so graciously,” Burks added.
Sole Supports will keep its current Lyle location but will expand to an existing 16,000 square foot facility in Hohenwald that the company will renovate. With this new facility, the company plans to expand its business and keep up with the growing market demand.
“The city of Hohenwald is extremely pleased and appreciative to be able to welcome Dr. Ed Glaser and the fine people of Sole Supports to our community. The city has already established a close-knit relationship with the team from Sole Supports and feel that we are now a part of that team,” Hohenwald Mayor Danny McKnight said. “During the past few months we have been able to work hand in hand with these people and consider them a part of the city of Hohenwald family. We would like to take this opportunity to officially welcome them to our city and county as not only a new and valued asset to our community but also embrace them as our new friends, neighbors and family.”
“TVA and Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative congratulate Sole Supports on selecting Hohenwald, Tennessee,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “Attracting and retaining quality jobs and investments in our region is a fundamental part of TVA’s mission of service. We are proud to partner with Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and the city of Hohenwald to further that mission and celebrate this announcement.”
To apply for these jobs, you can visit the Career Center Hohenwald, Hohenwald City Hall or the Sole Supports location in Lyles, Tenn.
Hohenwald and Lewis County are represented by Sen. Joey Hensley (R – Hohenwald) and Rep. David Byrd (R – Waynesboro) in the Tennessee General Assembly.
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. To grow and strengthen Team Tennessee, 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: facebook.com/tnecd.