Maryville Auto Supplier DENSO to Invest $400 Million and Hire 500

Global auto supplier DENSO announced today that it is adding 500 jobs and investing $400 million to expand its electronics manufacturing capabilities and build a new warehouse at its DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee manufacturing facility in Maryville.

The new 186,528-square-foot warehouse allows DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee to consolidate its various warehouse operations in the Maryville area into one located on its campus, and the additional manufacturing space will be used to produce products such as head-up displays, meters and electronic control units. The warehouse is due to be completed by October 2017.

“DENSO is committed to strengthening and expanding its product development and manufacturing capabilities across the region, and we’re excited about the additional opportunities this expansion will bring to our company, our employees, the Maryville community and the state of Tennessee,” said Jack Helmboldt, president of DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee.

“We congratulate DENSO on this announcement, and we appreciate their continued commitment to Blount County and the great state of Tennessee,” said Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam.

Japan-based DENSO Corp. is a leading global automotive supplier of advanced technology, systems and components in the areas of thermal, powertrain control, electronics and information and safety. Its customers include all the world’s major carmakers.

DENSO currently employs more than 22,000 people at 30 consolidated companies and affiliates in North America. It has four locations in Tennessee, the Maryville location being the company’s largest North American operation, sitting on nearly 200 acres and employing more than 3.500 people.

In January 2013, the company announced it would invest nearly $1 billion in North America over the next four years, resulting in more than 2,000 jobs across the region. The investment will allow DENSO to better support its North American customers, as well as expand new business areas and localize products, many of which will help automakers meet upcoming fuel requirements. More than $750 million will be invested in the United States alone, along with more than 1,200 jobs.

In recognition of the community’s 25 years of support and DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee’s theme of “healthy living” for its 25th anniversary, the company will present a $50,000 donation to Blount Memorial Hospital and a separate donation of $50,000 to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.

“We know our employees and their families depend on these wonderful medical facilities, and we hope that these gifts can help with the many special programs and services needed by the people of East Tennessee,” stated Helmboldt.

“Last year when I walked through the DENSO plant, it was bursting at the seams,” said Senator Lamar Alexander. “These 500 new jobs are one more example of how the auto industry has spread into 80 of Tennessee’s 95 counties to become the main contributor to raising our family incomes.  There is no better way to celebrate DENSO’s 25 years in Blount County.”