Kevin Hall (left), president of Electrolux Major Appliances North America, announces details of his company's expansion to Memphis along with Tenn. Gov. Phil Bredesen.
Appliance maker Electrolux will open a manufacturing plant in Memphis that will create more than 1,200 jobs in the region, economic development and elected officials announced during a surprise conclusion to the Greater Memphis Chamber Annual Chairman’s Luncheon.
Building of a 700,000 square foot manufacturing center will begin in early 2011 in the Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park, representing an investment in the area of more than $190 million. The facility will employ more than 1,200 people when fully operational.
Electrolux is a global leader in home appliances, appliances for professionals and the largest manufacturer of major cooking appliances. In North America, the company produces Electrolux, Electrolux ICON and Frigidaire brands.
Details of the plan were formally unveiled during the Wed., Dec. 15 Peabody Hotel luncheon by Kevin Scott, president of Electrolux Major Appliances North America, who appeared onstage with a host of state and regional dignitaries including Tenn. Gov. Phil Bredesen, state Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber, newly installed Chamber Chairman Joe DeVivo, Chamber president John Moore, Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell and Memphis Mayor A C Wharton.
“We are very pleased to have found a great location for our new manufacturing center,” Scott said. “Important decisions like this are never easy, but this one became very clear-cut for Electrolux because of the extensive support we received from state, city and county elected officials and governing bodies.”
Electrolux conducted a comprehensive study of the potential locations for the new manufacturing center. Scott said Memphis was chosen based on several key factors:
• Lower cost structure: transferring production to Memphis will allow Electrolux to reduce costs while continuing to produce industry-leading, innovative, competitively priced products.
• Memphis’s resources and location advantages: Electrolux was also attracted by the skilled labor pool in the Memphis area, and the area’s central location and excellent logistics, which will improve access to the company’s key markets, customers and suppliers.
• Synergies with other plants: the company will be able to better leverage its existing base of resources, especially those at its cooking operations in Springfield, Tenn.
Anyone seeking business opportunities with Electrolux can email general inquiries to
electrolux.memphis@electrolux.com.