Posted by Heidi Schwartz
Hicks Plastics officials have announced the company will open a new manufacturing facility in Knoxville, TN in order to increase supplier efficiency. Hicks Plastics plans to invest $10.4 million to begin operations in an existing building, creating 202 new jobs in Knox County.
“We want to welcome Hicks Plastics to Tennessee and thank them for creating these new jobs,” Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam said at the announcement.
“With more than 900 automotive suppliers located here, Tennessee is in a great position to capitalize on the geographic shift of automotive manufacturing toward the southeast,” Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd added. “Through companies like Hicks Plastics, we will continue to strengthen our supplier network and provide opportunities for growth in our communities. I want to thank Hicks Plastics for their investment and creating these valuable new jobs.”
Hicks Plastics produces automotive lighting components, specializing in molded and vacuum metalized lighting components. The company is expanding its manufacturing operations from Michigan to Knoxville in order to be closer to SL Tennessee, which manufacturers and produces head lamps and tail lamps for the automotive market. At the Knoxville location, Hicks Plastics will produce lighting components for various GM vehicles.
“SL Tennessee was in search of a supplier with metalizing capabilities to take on a significant volume of work in the Clinton area, and after several months of careful review, we found Knoxville to be the ideal location with a knowledgeable labor force and a variety of skilled trades and contractors,” Hicks Plastics Vice President Tim Hicks said. “With the help of these local contractors, Knoxville city officials, and SL Tennessee’s business development manager Scott Laska, Hicks Plastics is on track for summer 2015 production. We are looking forward to a successful partnership with SL Tennessee, the state of Tennessee, and the greater Knoxville area.”
The company plans to begin producing in Knoxville in July 2015, becoming fully operational by December 2015. SL Tennessee will be Hicks Plastics’ first customer in Tennessee.
“We are proud to be a part of what we hope will be the first of many similar expansions in the Knoxville area,” Laska said. “We have received excellent support from the city as we worked together from the early stages of this project. We look forward to continuing that relationship in order to expand the scope of our local supply base in the coming months and years.”
“It’s always great to welcome new jobs to East Tennessee, and I am very happy that Hicks Plastics has chosen to locate its new manufacturing operation in Knox County,” Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett said. “This is a business-friendly community with a long history of supporting automotive component manufacturing, and I look forward to seeing Hicks Plastics grow and succeed in this area.”
“I am very happy to welcome Hicks Plastics to Knoxville,” Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero said. “In recent years, we have seen a rebound in our local manufacturing sector, and this exciting announcement confirms that manufacturing is alive and well in Knoxville. Thanks to City Council for their support in helping us bring this investment and these jobs to our city.”
“It’s exciting that Hicks Plastics, an automotive component manufacturer, chose to locate in Innovation Valley,” Mike Edwards, President and CEO of the Knoxville Chamber, said. “We continue to see this target recruitment sector thrive on the technology and human capital assets of our region.”
“TVA and Knoxville Utilities Board congratulate Hicks Plastics on its announcement to open a new facility and create additional quality jobs in Knoxville,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “We are proud to be partners with the State of Tennessee, the Knoxville Chamber, City of Knoxville and Knox County officials to facilitate Hicks’ growth and continued success.”
