(Memphis) Five-hundred-fifty people are now at work in Memphis because of the Electrolux plant with 95 percent of those workers coming from the Mid-South.
Electrolux plant manager Jack Truong says that’s just the beginning.
The company has big employment plans for the 750,000 square foot plant as it scales up production.
“Our goal is to go up to 1200 when we are producing around 600,000 units and as we continue to grow beyond that we’ll deal with it,” said Truong.
Governor Bill Haslam toured the plant as part of its grand opening and says the success of the deal shows how diverse and qualified Memphis workers are, and he hopes other companies take note.
“This is a big deal for us also because of the range of employment. Everything from entry-level jobs to high-tech jobs and we want to show in Tennessee we can provide that workforce no matter where you fall in that spectrum,” said Haslam.
The city has fallen under some criticism for the use of tax breaks to lure the company, but Memphis Mayor A C Wharton claims the jobs supersede the city missing out on some tax revenue from the corporation.
“The sweetest words any elected official is thankful to see is now hiring,” said Wharton.
There’s also a plant in Springfield meaning one in three ovens shipped across the US are from right here in Tennessee.