Tennessee: Tyson Foods Expanding in Union City

Tyson is adding 25,000 square feet at its facility in Obion County, an $80-million investment creating 300 jobs.

By the BF Staff
From the September/October 2017 Issue

Tyson Foods, Inc. will invest approximately $80 million to expand operations in Union City, TN. Tyson, one of the world’s largest food companies, plans to create more than 300 new jobs as part of its expansion in Obion County.

Tennessee Business ReportTyson plans to add 25,000 square feet and new production lines to its Union City plant, effectively doubling its output capabilities at the facility. Construction is scheduled to begin this fall. The expansion is expected to be operational by mid-2019.

“Customer and consumer demand for protein, especially chicken, is increasing so we’re investing in projects that build on our strengths, expand our capabilities and increase our capacity,” said Doug Ramsey, Tyson’s group president of poultry. “Expansions like this position us to grow and support our customers.”

Tennessee Business ReportTyson’s Union City complex supplies chicken for a national foodservice customer. The company also operates facilities in Goodlettsville, Newbern and Shelbyville, employing about 5,000 workers in Tennessee.

“Tyson has been an integral part of Obion County for 20 years and I’m pleased to see the company move forward with this more than 300-job expansion in Union City,” said Gov. Bill Haslam. “With more than 1,000 employees in West Tennessee, Tyson’s impact on the community extends to the local farmers supported by its operations. I’d like to thank Tyson for its continued commitment to West Tennessee and bringing us closer to making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”

“It is vital that we do all we can to create a business environment where our existing employers can expand and create new job opportunities for hard working Tennesseans, especially in rural, Tier-4 counties such as Obion County,” said Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe. “Tyson’s considerable investment in West Tennessee is yet another validation of our efforts to attract more investment and jobs to our rural communities. I’d like to thank Tyson for laying the groundwork for more than 300 new jobs that will have a major impact on the residents and families of Obion County.”

FRANKE FOODSERVICE EXPANDS IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY

Rolfe and Franke Foodservice Systems officials recently announced that the company will expand its operations in Smyrna. The food service industry equipment manufacturer will invest $11.6 million and create 67 new jobs in Rutherford County.

“I want to thank Franke for choosing to expand in Smyrna,” Rolfe said. “The manufacturing sector has been experiencing enormous growth in Tennessee and it means a great deal that Franke will continue this momentum by creating over 60 new jobs in Rutherford County. I appreciate Franke’s continued investment in Tennessee and look forward to our partnership.”

Franke Foodservice Systems, part of the Swiss-based Franke Group, is a leading provider of comprehensive systems and services for the global foodservice industry. It employs more than 1,200 associates worldwide, and manufactures and distributes a wide variety of kitchen equipment and supplies from a number of facilities in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

“We’re excited to be expanding our capacity in our Smyrna location, where the outstanding workforce and strategic location have played a huge role in serving our customers and growing our business,” Foodservice Systems President and CEO Thomas Campion said. “When we opened our Smyrna campus in 2009, we allowed for the additional space and access needed to expand, and today we take a big step in fulfilling that vision.”

With this expansion, Franke will consolidate both its commercial food equipment for container shipments, commercial shipments and its coffee machine retrieval, programming, testing and shipping operations for the North American market. In addition to the consolidation, a new separate building will be constructed for a showroom for residential kitchen items to include sinks, ovens, faucets, hoods and cooktops.

“Every time a company expands, we view it as evidence of our thriving business community,” Destination Rutherford Chairman Bill Jones said. “We appreciate Franke’s efforts in investing once again in Rutherford County, and wish the company continued success.”

“Franke is a valued member of the Smyrna business community,” Smyrna Mayor Mary Esther Reed said. “We congratulate Franke on its expansion and wish the company many years of continued success.”

NFI INVESTS $7.2 MILLION IN SMYRNA

Gov. Haslam, Rolfe and NFI officials have announced that NFI will invest approximately $7.2 million to establish a distribution facility in Smyrna.

NFI, one of North America’s largest logistics providers, plans to create nearly 170 new jobs over the next five years in Rutherford County.

“I’d like to thank NFI for investing in Rutherford County and creating approximately 170 new jobs in Middle Tennessee,” Haslam said. “Tennessee’s central location and deep pool of skilled workers make our state the ideal home for companies like NFI to operate major distribution facilities. This new operation in Smyrna brings us one step closer to making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”

“NFI already has an existing presence with two other locations in the Nashville area,” Rolfe said. “I’m pleased to see NFI move forward with plans to grow in Tennessee and look forward to the positive impact the creation of approximately 170 new jobs will have on Smyrna and surrounding communities.”

NFI, headquartered in Cherry Hill, NJ, provides end-to-end supply chain solutions across the United States and Canada. The new Smyrna location will serve as a distribution and fulfillment center for customers throughout the Southeast region. In addition to distribution, NFI offers solutions in commercial real estate, dedicated transportation, brokerage, transportation management, intermodal and global logistics across a wide range of industries including retail, consumer packaged goods, and food and beverage.

“NFI continues to grow rapidly and we are excited to bring this new location to the Nashville area,” NFI President and Vice Chairman Jeff Brown said. “The Smyrna operation is a great example of NFI’s ability to leverage its commercial real estate expertise and network to secure a location with its distribution operations to manage the facility and deliver a comprehensive solution for our customer.”

Rutherford County officials and the TVA applauded NFI for its investment in Rutherford County. “Rutherford County continues to attract new companies with its pro-business environment and skilled workforce,” Destination Rutherford Chairman Bill Jones said.

“We are thrilled that NFI has chosen Smyrna to locate its new facility and add approximately 170 new jobs to our workforce,” Smyrna Mayor Mary Esther Reed said. “We look forward to a long and successful partnership with the company.”