Hicks Plastics, a maker of automotive lighting components, plans to create 202 jobs, investing $10.4 million in a Knoxville plant, officials said Wednesday.
The company is to begin producing its components in July and become fully operational by December, according to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
"Through companies like Hicks Plastics, we will continue to strengthen our supplier network and provide opportunities for growth in our communities," said Randy Boyd, the department's commissioner.
Hicks Plastics specializes 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 produces head lamps and tail lamps for the automotive market.
At the Knoxville location, Hicks Plastics will produce lighting components for various General Motors 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 in a statement.
The company will begin hiring for the new positions starting on July 1, taking applications in person at the facility in Knoxville.
Hicks Plastics said that people interested in working at its facility can check the website at http://www.hicksplastics.com/ for updates on employment opportunities.