Mitsubishi Electric Power Products to Build Transformers in Memphis
$200 Million Investment to Bring 275 HQ and Production Jobs to Tennessee
NASHVILLE – Governor Bill Haslam and Commissioner Bill Hagerty of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development today joined with Brian Heery, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Memphis Mayor A C Wharton and Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell to announce the company’s decision to invest $200 million to build a production facility for electric transformers in the Rivergate Industrial Park in Memphis, Tennessee, creating up to 275 new jobs. The new facility will produce extra-high voltage shell type power transformers and will be Mitsubishi’s national headquarters for the production of heavy electrical equipment. Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc is part of a business group owned by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation of Tokyo, Japan.
“I'm thankful that Mitsubishi Electric Power Products has chosen to make its investment in Tennessee as we work to make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs,” said Governor Haslam. “Memphis has many unique advantages in its location and existing assets, and it is the right place for this project given Tennessee’s more than half century of innovation in the field of energy technology and our state’s longstanding economic and cultural ties to Japan.”
“Nationally, there is a debate around whether our nation’s aging power grid is adequate to meet the needs of a growing economy,” said Commissioner Hagerty. “Mitsubishi Electric’s Memphis facility will play an important role in making sure our energy infrastructure is efficient, reliable and globally competitive.”
Mitsubishi Electric Power Products’ President and CEO Brian Heery said Memphis was selected following a nationwide search.
“We needed a large, waterfront site near a city large enough to support our recruiting and training goals,” said Mr. Heery. “This will be a world-class facility capable of meeting our customers’ needs for quality, reliability and cost. We believe Memphis is the right place and we look forward to becoming active in the community.”
“Memphis’ ability to provide a skilled, trainable workforce, along with our clear logistics advantages were key to successfully landing this project,” said Mayor Wharton. “I’m proud the strong partnership between our community, the Greater Memphis Chamber and the state of Tennessee has resulted in new opportunity for our citizens.”
“We’ve seen strong momentum in Memphis and Shelby County in recent months in terms of job growth,” said Mayor Luttrell. “Some of the world’s most respected companies are looking closely at Shelby County for investment and expansion and that tells me our strong business climate is getting the attention of corporate decision makers.”
Mitsubishi Electric Power Products plans to build a 350,000 square foot facility on approximately 100 acres in the Rivergate Industrial Park. Construction is slated to begin in late spring 2011 with production starting in 2013. The site search was led by McCallum-Sweeney of Greenville, SC and O’Neal, Inc of Greenville, SC has been hired as the facility’s general contractor. The company will begin immediately looking for skilled engineers and factory workers with plans to open the facility with 90 employees, growing to 275 at full production. Mitsubishi Electric Power Products says most of the jobs at the facility to be filled locally and the company expects additional jobs to be created by the facility’s need for suppliers of machined and fabricated materials. Interested job applicants can learn more at Mitsubishi Electric’s web site, www.meppi.com by clicking on “careers.”
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to create higher skilled, better paying jobs for all Tennesseans. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to www.tn.gov/ecd or www.investtennessee.org.
About Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc.
Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc. was incorporated in 1985 to supply products to electric utility companies in North America. Today, the company is headquartered in Warrendale, Pennsylvania with a national workforce of approximately 600 employees. During its past 25 years, the company has expanded into other markets including the transportation, water treatment, and power quality industries. While most of its products aren’t obvious to the general public, numerous sporting and entertainment venues feature the company's world-famous Diamond Vision® large-display screens. In fact, the world’s largest high-definition video display is at Cowboys Stadium. Information on Mitsubishi Electric Power Products complete line of products and services can be found at www.meppi.com.
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Contact: Mark Drury, ECD
Phone: (615) 532-8880
Mobile: (615) 330-7587
E-mail: mark.drury@tn.gov
Contact: Cayce Blanchard, Mitsubishi
Phone: (714) 229-3837
Mobile: (714) 715-3674
E-mail: cayce.blanchard@meus.mea.com