Area Development
Southern Champion Tray, a manufacturer and distributor of paperboard packaging products, will expand operations by investing $84.9 million in a new manufacturing facility located at the Centre South Riverport Industrial Park in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The new manufacturing facility will convert paperboard into packaging products. SCT’s purchase of the property is subject to the completion of due diligence which is expected to be complete by early first quarter of 2021. As part of the expansion, SCT will create more than 120 new jobs in Hamilton County over the next five years.

“We at Southern Champion Tray are extremely appreciative of Mayor Coppinger, the Chattanooga Chamber, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development along with TVA, for the support in our company’s growth. This is a vote of confidence for every current SCT employee, as well as the 120 new employees that we will be adding. After 93 years of continuous growth, we are excited to build another facility to support many more years of serving customers with Great Packaging and Distinctive Service,” said Brian Hunt, Chief Operations Officer, Southern Champion Tray.

Construction will begin in early 2021 and is expected to be complete by early 2022.

“Products manufactured at Southern Champion Tray’s Chattanooga operations can be found in homes and businesses across the country. We are proud of the success this family-owned company has seen over the years and thank them for providing the citizens of Hamilton County with quality job opportunities,” said Bob Rolfe, Commissioner of TNECD.

“TVA and EPB congratulate Southern Champion Tray on its decision to expand operations in Chattanooga. 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 the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, and Hamilton County to help further companies, like Southern Champion Tray’s continued business success,” said John Bradley, TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development

Headquartered in Chattanooga, SCT is a third generation, family-owned company. SCT employs more than 750 people and produces over 500 stock products for customers in the foodservice and baking industries. In addition, the company provides custom packaging solutions for customers across a number of industries.