Governor Lee, Commissioner McWhorter Announce Seaman Corporation to Expand Manufacturing and Distribution Operations in Sullivan County
· High-performance coated fabrics producer to invest $30 million to construct fourth facility in Bristol
BRISTOL, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter and Seaman Corporation officials announced today the company will invest $30 million to build a new 350,000-square-foot facility in Bristol, Tennessee.
Located at Partnership Park II, a Select Tennessee Certified Site, Seaman Corp will create 58 new jobs at its new manufacturing and distribution facility, which will be the company’s fourth facility in Bristol.
The expansion will allow Seaman Corp to better meet its customer demands for roofing, architectural, military and industrial coated fabrics while also adding new hot melt coating equipment. Upon completion of the project, Seaman Corp will employ more than 170 people in Sullivan County.
Seaman Corporation has been in the industrial coated fabric and textiles industry for nearly 75 years. Today, the family-owned company has multiple facilities across the U.S. that manufacture and distribute Seaman Corp’s products globally.
Since 2019, TNECD has supported more than 12 economic development projects in Sullivan County, resulting in nearly 1,200 job commitments and $684 million in capital investment.
QUOTES
“Tennessee is the best state in the nation for companies to expand and succeed, thanks to our unmatched business climate, thriving economy and highly skilled workforce. I thank Seaman Corp for its continued investment in Tennessee to provide greater opportunity for families across Sullivan County.” – Gov. Bill Lee
“Seaman Corp has a longstanding history in the textiles and industrial coated fabrics industry, and we are proud that this company has once again chosen to place its trust in our state. Bristol is centrally located in the Southeast with access to two-year, four-year and technical institutions, all of which will support Seaman Corp’s expansion and future growth.” – TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter
“This is an exciting venture for Seaman Corp and a great opportunity to further our commitment to the Bristol community. We are proud of our partnership with the State of Tennessee and Sullivan County and glad to have the support of Governor Lee and Commissioner McWhorter as we expand our business.” – Seaman Corporation CEO Jeff Swartz
“As Seaman Corp invests once again in Sullivan County – with a project that literally could have been located anywhere in the world, that wasn’t tethered to an existing plant – it reinforces Northeast Tennessee as a pro-business destination. It is a great testament to our workforce more than anything because if their Bristol operations weren’t productive, we would not have even been considered for this project. Kudos to our economic development teams at NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership, the City of Bristol, and BTES as well. This is another big win Where Tennessee Begins Its Business Day!” – Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable
“We could not be prouder to stand alongside our colleagues at Seaman Corp as they unveil plans for their remarkable new operation here in Bristol, Tennessee. This represents yet another significant investment by an organization that is already such an important partner to us. Not only are they leaders of innovation in their industry, but also Seaman Corp’s Bristol team is a leader in the community, taking an active role in helping to build our regional workforce pipeline among their many other contributions to make this an even better place to call home. We sincerely appreciate their continued investment and commitment to Bristol and do not take either for granted.” – Bristol Mayor Vince Turner
“TVA and Bristol Tennessee Essential Services congratulate Seaman Corp on its decision to expand operations in Bristol. It’s always an exciting day when we can celebrate a company’s commitment to continued growth in the Valley. We are proud to partner with NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership, the City of Bristol Tennessee and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to help support companies like Seaman Corp and look forward to its continued business success in the region.” – John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development
“We congratulate Seaman Corp on this expansion that will create new, quality job opportunities, bolster our economy and further establish our community as a hub of manufacturing. We appreciate their partnership over the years and wish them continued success.” – Sen. Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol)
“I’m always extremely proud when companies that know us best choose to grow their business in our community. I thank Seaman Corp for their continued investment in Bristol, and I congratulate their employees on their remarkable success.” – Rep. John Crawford (R-Bristol/Kingsport)
About Seaman Corporation
Seaman Corporation was founded in 1949 by Norman Seaman. Seaman Corporation, a manufacturer of industrial coated fabrics, is the world leader for the highest quality and performance fabrics used for roofing, geomembranes, architectural, and recreation applications around the globe. With manufacturing plants in Wooster, Ohio and Bristol, Tennessee, Seaman Corporation employs more than 400 employees companywide. Seaman Corporation is a Veteran owned USA manufacturing-based company. For more information about Seaman Corporation, its products and our people find us on seamancorp.com.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies that help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment to the state and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Like us on Facebook. Subscribe to our YouTubechannel.
Media Contacts
Seaman Corporation
Kate Bittner
Internal Communications Manager
kbittner@seamancorp.com
(330) 749-1208
TNECD
Lindsey Tipton
Public Information Officer
lindsey.tipton@tn.gov
(615) 339-6608
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