SMITHVILLE – A DeKalb County automotive manufacturer is in the midst of a 24,500-square-foot expansion.
Tenneco, which manufactures mufflers, catalytic converters and exhaust systems for the likes of Toyota, GM, Honda, Chrysler and Nissan, plans to increase production at its facility at 645 E. Broad St, Smithville. Along with the warehouse expansion, Tenneco will also be adding 150 new jobs at the plant by February 2016. Both the expansion and the new jobs will accommodate the plant’s growing business with its automotive customers.
“Tenneco is excited to continue to bring new business and new jobs to the Smithville area,” Steve Grilly, executive director of operations at Tenneco, Clean Air, said. “We are grateful to the Smithville community for their support in helping us expand our facility.”
Cookeville’s J. Cumby Construction Inc. (JCC) is heading the project, currently underway. Tenneco officials say work should be complete by the end of this year or early 2016.
“We’re proud to play a role in the expansion one of the region’s long-time employers,” Justin Cumby, president of JCC, said in a press release. “Tenneco is important to the Smithville area and the entire Upper Cumberland. This growth is a sign of great things happening in the region.”
The Smithville facility is one of 13 U.S. clear air manufacturing plans within the Tenneco family. Overall, Tenneco maintains 89 manufacturing facilities in 100 countries.
The company recently celebrated its 20th anniversary in Smithville and employs 481 locally. The company has been direct hiring for the open full-time positions, which including team specialists, welders, maintenance, drivers and team leaders. Interested applicants should call Tina Pack at (615) 597-3880.
