Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty, along with Surface Igniter, LLC officials announced the company will relocate its headquarters and manufacturing facility to Maryville, Tenn. Surface Igniter, LLC will invest $3.8 million and create 108 new jobs over the next three years in Blount County.
“I want to thank Surface Igniter, LLC for relocating their business to Tennessee and adding these valuable jobs in Blount County,” Haslam said. “Recruiting and investing in our state’s key clusters, where we have a clear competitive advantage, is an important part of our Jobs4TN plan, and today’s announcement helps us toward our goal of becoming the No 1. location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
“Surface Igniter, LLC’s decision to relocate their operations from off-dshore to Tennessee highlights our position as the state with the best balance sheet in the nation,” Hagerty said. “By choosing Tennessee, Surface Igniter, LLC will be centrally located, have access to world-class infrastructure and be able to operate in the nation’s most business-friendly environment. I want to thank Surface Igniter, LLC for their vote of confidence and congratulate them on their move.”
Surface Igniter, LLC is consolidating and moving to Blount County from two locations: Puerto Rico, which houses production facilities; and Chagrin Falls, Ohio, which served as their headquarters, warehousing and distribution. They will lease 54,000 square feet of space at 1709 Henry G. Lane Dr. in Maryville.
“It is an exciting time for the company as we anticipate growth and new business opportunities,” Surface Igniter President and General Manager David Kidd said. “The decision to relocate the operation from Puerto Rico and Ohio has been in the planning stages for several months. The state and local officials have exhibited professionalism and enthusiasm in every aspect of the process. Their assistance with the relocation of the facility solidified our decision to move to Blount County and Tennessee.”
Surface Igniter pioneered the development of the silicon carbide igniter in 1969. Today, Surface Igniter, LLC is a leading manufacturer of hot surface igniters for the heating, cooking, clothes dryer and BBQ grill industries. At the Maryville facility, production will involve extrusion of graphite material, heat treating and furnace processes, assembly and testing.
“We are pleased to have Surface Igniter moving its entire operation to Blount County,” Blount County Mayor Ed Mitchell said. “The growth we are experiencing is phenomenal and the variety of businesses moving here shows the diversity of the work force we have to offer.”
“Getting a company to move its entire manufacturing and headquarters to this area really speaks to the quality of life and workforce available here,” Maryville Mayor Tom Taylor said. “Those movements are rare and it means a lot to me that this community is conducive to eliciting an international company to making Maryville its new home.”
“This announcement adds to the already overwhelming job and capital investment totals we’ve experienced over the past two years,” Blount County Industrial Board Chair Chuck Alexander said. “In that span alone, the Blount County Industrial Board has announced 1,800 new jobs with more than $363 million in investments These ventures would not be possible without the great relationships that are cultivated among the local governments and their elected officials.”
“TVA and Maryville Electric Department congratulate Surface Igniter on their plans to locate and grow in Blount County,” TVA senior vice president of Economic Development John Bradley said. “We are pleased to be economic development partners with the state of Tennessee and Blount Partnership to win this project that will bring more jobs to the area.”
Equipment is scheduled to arrive at the Maryville location, 1709 Henry G. Ln., at the end of September with installation, training and process qualification beginning in October. Phase one production is expected to begin in November.
Surface Igniter will initially hire 54 employees. There are openings for maintenance, quality, assembly, schedulers, an HR manager and warehouse and distribution personnel. Surface Igniter will begin hiring maintenance and furnace operators within the next two weeks. The additional positions will be hired in October and November. Those interested in positions can apply by emailing jobs@surfaceigniter.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. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.