A leading manufacturer of hot surface igniters for the heating, cooking, clothes dryer and BBQ grill industries, Surface Igniter, will invest $3.8 million to relocate its headquarters and manufacturing facility to Maryville, Tennessee. The move to 54,000 square feet of leased space at 1709 Henry G. Lane Dr. will create 108 new jobs over the next three years in Blount County.

The firm, which pioneered the development of the silicon carbide igniter, is consolidating and moving to Maryville from two locations: Puerto Rico, which houses production facilities; and Chagrin Falls, Ohio, which served as its headquarters, warehousing and distribution. At the Maryville facility, production will involve extrusion of graphite material, heat treating and furnace processes, assembly and testing.

“It is an exciting time for the company as we anticipate growth and new business opportunities,” Surface Igniter President and General Manager David Kidd said. “The decision to relocate the operation from Puerto Rico and Ohio has been in the planning stages for several months. The state and local officials have exhibited professionalism and enthusiasm in every aspect of the process. Their assistance with the relocation of the facility solidified our decision to move to Blount County and Tennessee.”

Surface Igniter will initially hire 54 employees including maintenance, quality, assembly, schedulers, an HR manager and warehouse and distribution personnel. Surface Igniter will begin hiring maintenance and furnace operators within the next two weeks.

“I want to thank Surface Igniter, LLC for relocating their business to Tennessee and adding these valuable jobs in Blount County,” Gov Bill Haslam said. “Recruiting and investing in our state’s key clusters, where we have a clear competitive advantage, is an important part of our Jobs4TN plan, and today’s announcement helps us toward our goal of becoming the No 1. location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”

“Surface Igniter, LLC’s decision to relocate their operations from off-dshore to Tennessee highlights our position as the state with the best balance sheet in the nation,” said Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty. “By choosing Tennessee, Surface Igniter, LLC will be centrally located, have access to world-class infrastructure and be able to operate in the nation’s most business-friendly environment. I want to thank Surface Igniter, LLC for their vote of confidence and congratulate them on their move.”

“TVA and Maryville Electric Department congratulate Surface Igniter on their plans to locate and grow in Blount County,” TVA senior vice president of Economic Development John Bradley said. “We are pleased to be economic development partners with the state of Tennessee and Blount Partnership to win this project that will bring more jobs to the area.”