News

Three Valley states benefit from company expansions

December 15, 2006 — Three states in the TVA region will benefit from company expansions facilitated by TVA and its economic development partners. Springs Global and Nissin Brake will upgrade existing facilities in Tennessee and Georgia, respectively, and Canadian company Eagle Pump and Compressor will expand its operations into Kentucky.

Springs Global is a leading North American supplier of home furnishings to major retailers, with brands such as Springmaid, Wamsutta, and Burlington House. The company recently announced that its bath rug facility in Nashville will expand production capacity and add up to 193 jobs.

"Springs Global is investing several million dollars in this project to strengthen our bath rug business and enhance our leading position in this market," said Chuck McJunkin, vice president of bath manufacturing for the company. TVA partnered with Nashville Electric Service, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, and the State of Tennessee on the project.

North Georgia will benefit from an expansion by Nissin Brake that will double the size of the company's facility in Rock Spring. The $15 million expansion is expected to add 100 jobs by 2010.

Jim Owen, vice president and plant manager of the Rock Spring plant, says the purpose of the expansion is to add two items to the company's product line. Honda is building a new plant that will need more Nissin parts to keep up with production, he explained. Nissin also manufactures brake assemblies for GM, Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, and other vehicle manufacturers. TVA's partners on the project included the North Georgia Electric membership Corporation, the Southeast Industrial Development Association, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Eagle Pump and Compressor Ltd. of Calgary, Alberta, will build an air compressor manufacturing facility in Hickman, Kentucky. Eagle purchased the 70,000-square-foot Hickman Mills plant and plans to invest $2 million and employ 150 workers. TVA's assistance and incentives were very instrumental in the company's decision to locate in Hickman, said Eagle's president, Con Sprenger. TVA partnered in the project with the local economic development organization, the Fulton-Hickman Electric Cooperative, and the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet.