Company is expanding and bringing jobs to Algood
(UCBJ) – LEV Manufacturing, a light electric vehicle (LEV) company focused primarily on electric bicycles (e-bikes) and related mobility products, is expanding to Algood in Putnam County, bringing with it 288 new jobs. The move is a wage-growth driver that could diversify the economy within the tech and mobility sector while triggering supplier growth and additional facilities.
According to the company’s CEO, Robert Provost, there are also plans for future expansion.
“Establishing our Tennessee facility represents a major milestone for LEV Manufacturing and the broader Life EV Group, including Rad Life Mobility. This location will serve as a central hub for distributing and future assembly of leading electric mobility brands, including Rad Power Bikes, Serial 1 and Life EV. By bringing operations closer to our customers and investing in U.S.-based manufacturing, we are building a scalable platform to support long-term growth, innovation and job creation,” said Provost.
That’s the word, according to the company, and here’s everything you need to know.
LEV Manufacturing Inc.
Business model:
- “Build-as-you-sell” manufacturing
- U.S.-based warehousing and drop shipping
- Low minimum order quantities (100–500 units)
- Integrated engineering, production, and logistics
- Components: motors, batteries and controllers
The $7 million project comes as part of Deerfield Beach, Florida-based Life EV Group’s (LEV) U.S. and TN expansion plans. LEV’s goal is to provide manufacturing and logistics services while building a U.S.-based supply chain “instead of relying fully on imports.”
The company was founded in 2018 and operates as part of Life Electric Vehicles Holdings Inc., a publicly traded holding company focused on building a multi-brand electric mobility platform.
In 2023 and 2024, the company expanded its acquisitions to include Serial 1 and Rad assets.
LEV Manufacturing supports multiple brands, including:
- Rad Power Bikes (major U.S. e-bike brand – acquired assets in 2026)
- Serial 1 Cycle Company (originally tied to Harley-Davidson)
- Life EV’s own branded products
More than just an e-bike company
LEV “runs the back end for multiple brands” by centralizing everything, including:
- Assembly
- Warehousing
- Distribution
- Service
With 790,000 e-bikes imported into the U.S. each year, the segment has grown faster than some car markets, and the company aims to capture that growth domestically while positioning itself as the “backend engine” of the industry.
The Facility
The 100,000-square-foot building at 2415 Burton Branch Road in Algood is the company’s first facility in Tennessee and a major U.S. expansion and will be the central hub for the manufacturing of Rad Power Bikes products following Life EV Group’s recent acquisition of the company.
Core operations:
- Primary U.S. assembly plant
- Logistics and distribution hub
- Fulfillment center
- Nationwide product distribution
- Assembly of electric bikes from globally sourced components
- Logistics and warehousing support
- Support for future U.S.-based manufacturing strategy
LEV facilities are often designated as Foreign-Trade Zone sites. With most e-bikes transported from Asia. The designation allows a delay or reduce tariffs while improving cash flow, according to Provost.
Assembling products in the U.S. while sourcing parts globally is LEV’s solution, improving quality, inventory and delivery speed.
“Planning activation as a Foreign-Trade Zone allows us to reduce landed costs, improve operational flexibility, and support the integration of our brands more efficiently. This structure helps us create American jobs while building a more resilient and competitive supply chain,” according to Provost.
Why Algood / Putnam County?
According to the Provost, the location is strategically important, citing Tennessee’s business-friendly environment and proximity to American customers. But there is a broader strategy at work.
The move marks a shift from Asia-based manufacturing to U.S. assembly. The company wants to improve quality control, delivery times and “brand perception.”
Stamped Made in the USA is good business.
Further partnerships
LEV plans to partner with Tennessee research institutions and focus on battery technology, advanced manufacturing and workforce development – suggesting a potential long-term innovation hub in the state.
Plans for the Future
The company operates seven U.S. retail locations and plans to add 14 more stores over the next two years, with the Algood project positioned as a central U.S. hub. That promise – and the likelihood of future expansion and additional jobs – adds optimism to Putnam County’s economic outlook and to those seeking work.
It will not be a small plant, but it is a meaningful step in the right direction – one guided by a business climate that welcomes growth.
LEV is planning a central hub to support its entire supply chain, bringing high-paying jobs to a community where those opportunities are limited. With planned growth, investment and a long-term vision, LEV’s expansion is positioned to have a significant impact.
“One of the top questions Rad receives from our more than 680,000 riders is, ‘Where is my e-bike made?’ With this announcement, we’re excited that the answer will soon start with ‘right here in the U.S.’ We hope it inspires continued investment across the micromobility industry in American jobs and innovation,” said Jim Brown, CEO & president, Rad Power Bikes.
Photo via the State of TN.
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