The 3M Company is planning to invest about $470 million and add around 600 more jobs over the next three years to expand manufacturing operations in East Tennessee.
As part of 3M's expansion at the Eagle Bend Industrial Park in Clinton, the company plans to invest in two of its fast-growing product lines to produce more of its Filtret air filters and Command adhesive strips. In an announcement this week, 3M CEO Mike Roman said the additional investments and jobs will help 3M increase capacity and reduce manufacturing cycle time to be more responsive to growing consumer demand. In addition, the investment will improve sustainability by replacing plastic packaging with more renewable packaging such as paperboard.
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"The talented people in East Tennessee, the partnership from the state government and the flexibility of our manufacturing facility create an ideal environment for additional investment in Clinton," Roman said in an announcement of the expansion plans. "The continued demand for innovative new 3M products, especially for home improvement, makes us optimistic about our growth in Clinton."
3M acquired the 772,000-square-foot Food Lion Distribution Center in 2014 to manufacture products like the Filtrete filters and its Thinsulate automotive acoustic insulation. At the time, 3M planned to invest $135 million and create 100 jobs in Anderson County.
3M operates two other plants in Tennessee in Midway and Old Hickory.
(READ MORE: East Tennessee plant expansion will bring 160 new jobs and more business news)
- Compiled by Dave Flessner