Automotive supplier expands in Dayton, Tenn.

photo Bob Vincent

ABOUT IAC

North American headquarters: Southfield, Mich.Staff: 16,000 employees in North America, 23,000 globallyProducts: Automotive door and trim systems, instrument panels, consoles and cockpits, flooring and acoustics systems, headliner and overhead systems, complementary exterior componentsFacilities: 39 in North AmericaRevenues: $3.7 billion (2011)Source: International Automotive Components, Forbes

A Dayton, Tenn., automotive supplier is growing its business as it wins new work among an array of car companies, officials said Tuesday.

International Automotive Components is upping its workforce by about 50 people and investing $7.7 million into its Rhea County operations, said state Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty.

That will push the company's plant staff to just under 300, according to IAC.

"The automotive industry in Tennessee is thriving because of companies like IAC," Hagerty said in a statement.

IAC spokesman David Ladd said the Dayton plant makes door and instrument panels and overhead systems. IAC North America acquired the Dayton plant through its 2006 purchase of Lear Corp.'s interiors division.

"The customers we support at this plant include Nissan, Honda, General Motors and Mercedes Benz," Ladd said in an email.

Dayton Mayor Bob Vincent said IAC moved into the former Kinro Manufacturing plant earlier this year, which the Dayton Industrial Development Board bought for $1.1 million in 2011 after Kinro closed its facility. The city bond board leased the 110,000-square-foot building to IAC earlier this year to help the company consolidate its operations.

"We look forward to more great things in the future," Vincent said in a statement.

John Payne, the Rhea Economic and Tourism Council's executive director, said IAC "is an automotive company that has been growing.

"It really means a lot to economic development in our county," he said.

Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.

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