DTR Tennessee, Inc. will invest $9 million to expand its manufacturing facility by 66,300 square feet, with plans to hire up to 80 associates by the end of next year in Tazewell, Tennessee.

The expansion, which will be DTR’s fourth expansion since initial construction was complete in 2002, The latest expansion will bring the company’s total employment to nearly 800 by the end of 2017.

The additional space will be used for increased business of anti-vibration and sound insulation polyurethane products for the automotive industry in North America. The expansion is expected to be complete by November 2016. In addition to the Claiborne County location, DTR Tennessee also has a manufacturing plant in Greene County that employs more than 900 people.

“Tennessee’s automotive sector employs 111,000 people at more than 900 establishments throughout the state, and these numbers are further strengthened when companies like DTR continue to grow and create more jobs for our Team Tennessee workforce,” Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd said.

“It means a great deal when companies choose to locate in Tennessee, but when they expand their presence here, it’s a vote of confidence to the many advantages our state has to offer. I thank DTR for its continued investment and congratulate the company on this expansion,” he added.

DTR Tennessee is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Riko Rubber Industries, which is a leading supplier of anti-vibration, polyurethane and hose productions for the automotive industry. Operating globally in 23 countries, DTR also supplies products for the IT, electronics, industrial and construction industries.