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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Unilever Invests $108.7 Million To Expand Its Covington, Tennessee, Production Plant

09/20/2013
Unilever will invest $108.7 million to expand operations at its facility in Covington, Tennessee, with plans to add 428 jobs during the next four years.

The firm’s project includes facility and site improvements, including an 11,000 square foot engine room expansion and 90,000 square foot parking lot expansion. Upon completion of the project, Unilever expects to have a workforce of nearly 1,000 employees in Covington.

“Investing in sustainable manufacturing is an important part of Unilever’s strategy of investing back for growth in America,” Kees Kruythoff, President of Unilever North America, said. “Through the expansion and upgrade in Covington we are creating a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, enabling Unilever to sustainably and responsibly grow our U.S. ice cream business. We are excited about what this investment means for both the local community and for Unilever.”

Unilever’s Covington facility, located at 2000 Hwy. 51 N., specializes in the production of ice cream and frozen novelty items for brands such as Breyers, Fruttare, Good Humor, Klondike and Popsicle. In addition to facility and parking lot improvements, the expansion will allow increased production capacity of the existing company-owned ice cream novelty and frozen dessert factory and the purchase of new machinery and equipment for additional production lines.

“I want to congratulate Unilever on this significant announcement and thank the company for its continued investment in Covington and Tipton County,” Gov. Bill Haslam. “Part of our Jobs4TN strategy focuses on expanding companies already conducting business in the state, and today’s expansion announcement is another step toward our goal of making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”

“Unilever has played a key role in the corporate landscape of West Tennessee for more than a decade, and I am pleased with the company’s plans to expand in Covington,” Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty said. “In addition to our ideal location and unbeatable transportation infrastructure, Tennessee boasts the best balance sheet in the nation, which is tremendous when international companies, like Unilever, seek to locate or expand in our state. I appreciate Unilever’s decision to continue to invest in Tennessee and its quality workforce.”

“TVA and Covington Electric System are pleased to be a partner on the economic development team with the state of Tennessee, city of Covington, Tipton County and HTL Advantage to help facilitate Unilever’s major expansion that brings jobs and prosperity to Covington and the West Tennessee area,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said.

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