1. McKee Foods Corp., cakes and cookies, 3,060 employees in Collegedale
2. Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., chicken processing, 1,850 local employees at two downtown plants
3. GE-Roper Corp., cooking ranges, 1,500 employees in LaFayette, Ga.
4. Astec Industries Inc. asphalt and dust collectors, 1,317 employees at South Chattanooga plants
5. Volkswagen of America, auto assembly plant, 1,000 employees (to expand to 2,000 next year)