Innovate Manufacturing, a China-based injection molding company announced on August 24 that it will locate its first U.S. headquarters in Knoxville, Tenn.
The company, which has four plastics factories and an engineering office in China, chose to move a portion of its operations to the U.S. due to lower shipping and energy costs and proximity to its client base.
“By locating closer to our customers, we anticipate more growth as demand for localized manufacturing continues,” said John Lin, vice president of engineering.
“The central location, competitive electricity costs, and business-friendly policies of East Tennessee helped us make our decision, and we anticipate the manufacturing community here to grow as well.”
Innovate Manufacturing produces hydration bottles, kitchen products, pet supplies, tools and other goods. The company’s Knoxville facility will specialize in injection molding, injection stretch blow molding and extrusion blow molding. Tooling is already underway, and production will begin in late September.
“Onshoring is gaining momentum with the reduction of cost burdens for companies manufacturing their products here in the U.S.,” Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd said.
“Tennessee is beginning to generate significant job growth from the onshoring movement, and in the past twelve months, the state has added nearly 1,300 jobs from China-based projects alone,” Boyd added.
