Officials vow support for workers as transition plans and economic development efforts ramp up
(UCBJ) – According to a report by WJLE.com in DeKalb County, Tenneco, a brake producer in Smithville, is ending production in 2027 at its location in North Industrial Park in the county. The “braking site” plant employs approximately 146 people.
According to the report, the Sparta Highway site will not be affected by the closure.
From a prepared letter provided by city and county officials:
“I was hurt to learn of the future closing of Tenneco. The City of Smithville will always do our best to accommodate any manufacturer that may want to come to town in the near future,” said Smithville Mayor Josh Miller in a prepared statement to WJLE Thursday.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the employees that are there,” said County Mayor Matt Adcock. “We just hate to see one of our long-term industries go out of business. Of course, that’s something we never want to hear for any business. We strive for industrial development and economic community development here in DeKalb County. We strategize on it every summer with the state, what DeKalb County can do to better our chances of receiving new businesses and retaining the ones that we already have. We’re going to keep on pushing for those summer strategy sessions with the state and our local and county leaders and really optimize on industrial development and economic community development opportunities within DeKalb County and Smithville.”
Tenneco, then named Nuturn, began production in the area in 1978. Since then there have been multiple ownership shifts. In a statement, Tenneco management said they are focusing on limiting the impact the closure has on its employees with:
- employee assistance programs
- career services
- severance packages
To read the entire report, visit HERE.
Photo via Tenneco.
Copyright 2026 The Upper Cumberland Business Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Other stories you may want to check out:
