Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with SO.F.TER. GROUP officials announced the company will build its first U.S. operation in Wilson County. The new building will be located on 21 acres off of Highway 109 in Lebanon and will serve as SO.F.TER.’s headquarters for the Americas. The construction of this new business represents an $11.5 million investment and the creation of 50 new jobs, with ultimate site employment expected to exceed 150.
“I have enjoyed getting to know SO.F.TER. management and appreciate their decision to locate in Tennessee,” Hagerty said. “SO.F.TER.’s investment underscores the momentum our state is enjoying in such a globally competitive market as companies seek the best location for long-term capital investment. We congratulate SO.F.TER. on this move and welcome them to Tennessee as a valued corporate citizen for many years to come.”
“We are excited to be part of this project that will bring the SO.F.TER. GROUP to the United States,” Managing Director of SO.F.TER. U.S. Mark Rodden said. “SO.F.TER.’s product portfolio is one of the most comprehensive in the industry. SO.F.TER.’S experience, financial strength and long-term view will enable us to focus on customers with a one-to-one approach, based on flexible and tailored solutions.”
“The foundation of SO.F.TER. U.S. is a step of paramount importance in our internationalization strategy,” Global Commercial Director of SO.F.TER. GROUP Riccardo Meucci said. “In addition to the size and breadth of its markets, we believe the U.S. has excellent prospects for growth. Moreover, the U.S. operation completes our presence in the Americas and complements our presence in Mexico and Brazil. Now, indeed, we can be considered as a global supplier, providing the same high quality products all around the world”.
"As Mayor of Wilson County, I am very excited to have been a part of the location of the SO.F.TER. GROUP to Wilson County. I believe that it is a vote of confidence for Wilson County's workforce.” Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto said. "I want to thank both the management team of SO.F.TER and members of the Wilson County Commission for their support which made today's announcement possible. We congratulate the company on this great news and look forward to being a part of their continued growth.”
"It is our distinct honor to welcome the SO.F.TER. GROUP to Lebanon, Tenn. as our latest corporate citizen," Lebanon Mayor Philip Craighead said. "We are confident that their decision to locate in Lebanon, Tenn. will be a mutually rewarding experience. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with SO.F.TER., which was made possible through our partnership with the State of Tennessee and the JECDB of Wilson County.”
The SO.F.TER. GROUP is one of the world’s largest independent compounders with headquarters in Forlì, Italy. The company’s new business in Lebanon, Tenn. will first be constructed at 100,000 square feet, but will eventually be expanded to more than 250,000 square feet. The site will be dedicated to the production, development and sale of engineering plastics and other advanced solutions for the U.S. market. Based on its extensive expertise and broad list of approvals developed over the last 30 plus years, SO.F.TER. expects to have a strong presence in the automotive, appliance, construction and electrical markets.
The debut of SO.F.TER. U.S. on the U.S. plastics market will take place in October with a presentation at the SPE Automotive Conference to be held in Detroit from October 6-9 2013, while the official launch will be held at the K2013 in Düsseldorf (October 16-23) where the Group Management will be available to meet clients and journalists.
About SO.F.TER. GROUP
The SO.F.TER. GROUP (www.softergroup.com) is one of the largest independent compounders in the world. The company’s product range includes thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic vulcanizates and engineering plastics. Thanks to its technological know-how in a broad range of materials, SO.F.TER. can offer its customers innovative, tailor-made solutions with a high specialization in the automotive, domestic appliance, construction, footwear and sport sectors. The SO.F.TER. GROUP, with a turnover of 250 Million Euro in 2012 (330 Million USD) has its headquarters in Forlì, Italy and counts another three manufacturing plants in Italy, a sales office near Stuttgart (Germany) and two commercial and production units in Latin America (Mexico, Brazil).
Products and brands. Thermoplastic Elastomers: Pibiflex® (TPC) Forprene® (TPV), Forflex® (TPO), Laprene®, Sofprene® (TPE-S), Sofpur® (modified TPU), Forgrin®, Terra®, Holo® (TPE for artificial turf infill), Pavprene® (bitumen modifier). Engineering Plastics: Tecnoprene®, Polifor®, Carboprene®, Talcoprene® (PP), Pibifor®, Pibiter® (PBT), Nylfor®, Nivionplast® (PA6, PA66), Abistir®, Retelan® (ABS), Blendfor®, Reblend® (PC/ABS), Stirofor® (HI-PS), Cabofor® (PC), Norfor® (PPE), Sanfor® (SAN).
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.