Maryville, Tenn. – More than 100 new jobs are coming to Blount County as Surface Igniter, LLC, the pioneer in the development of the silicon carbide igniter in 1969, is moving its headquarters and manufacturing operations to the Blount County Industrial Park in Maryville, Tenn.
It is a leading manufacturer of hot surface igniters for the heating, cooking, clothes dryer and BBQ grill industries.
“It is truly refreshing to work with such professionals as we have in this decision to move our plant from Puerto Rico to Tennessee,” said Surface Igniter Chairman of the Board George Hanna. “It is not an easy decision to make, but they have made it as painless as possible. When I can meet with decision makers from city, county and state, at a single meeting, it is truly impressive! We look forward to establishing our company in Blount County, and becoming a good citizen in the state of Tennessee.”
It will begin production immediately with 54 employees in the 55,000-square foot Blount County industrial building, formerly known as the Klote International Facility, located at 1709 Henry G Lane Street in Maryville. The labor total is expected to double within the next three years.
“It is an exciting time for the company as we anticipate growth and new business opportunities,” said President and General Manager David Kidd. “The decision to relocate the operation from Puerto Rico and Ohio has been in the planning stages for several months. 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.”
The company will be hiring maintenance and furnace operators within the next two weeks and additional positions in October and November. Resume or contact information can be sent to the following email address:[email protected]
“We are pleased to have Surface Igniter moving its entire operation to Blount County,” said Blount County Mayor Ed Mitchell. “The growth we are experiencing is phenomenal and the variety of businesses moving here shows the diversity of the work force we have to offer.”
Formerly the Igniters Division of Carborundum, the company became the Surface Igniter Corporation in 1997. Surface Igniters is moving its production facility, quality control and engineering departments from Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and its sales, customer service and company headquarters from Chagrin Falls, Ohio outside of Cleveland.
“Getting a company to move its entire manufacturing and headquarters to this area really speaks to the quality of life and workforce available here,” said Maryville Mayor Tom Taylor. “Those movements are rare and it means a lot to me that this community is inducive to eliciting an international company to making Maryville its new home.”
Equipment is scheduled to arrive the end of September with installation, training and process qualification beginning in October. Phase one production is expected begin in November 2013.
Kidd also noted that this move makes Surface Igniter more competitive in the world market and should lead to further expansion into new markets that the company is not currently servicing.
“This announcement adds to the already overwhelming job and capital investment totals we’ve experienced over the past two years,” said Chuck Alexander, Chair Blount County Industrial Board. “In that span alone, the Blount County Industrial Board has announced 1800 new jobs with more than $363 million in investments. These ventures would not be possible without the great relationships that are cultivated among the local governments and their elected officials.”
Surface Igniter was incorporated in 1997 after Graphite Sales Inc. bought the silicon carbide, hot surface igniter business from The Carborundum Company. The iconic, double helix igniter was developed by The Carborundum Company in the late 1960’s, and was the first silicon carbide gas igniter in the industry.
Originally introduced as the ignition source for gas clothes dryers in the 70’s, the novel ignition method was rapidly adopted throughout the gas industry. Hot surface ignition is still the most reliable and cost effective method for gas ignition after more than 40 years of its introduction.
From 1987 until 2002 the fabrication of the silicon carbide igniter element and its assembly into more than 100 different configurations was done at Surface Igniter’s plant located in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
In 2003 the assembly operations were relocated to Surface Igniter’s Sister Company, Carbide Hi-Temp Materials Inc., which was established in Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China. At the same time, a consolidation warehouse was opened in Chagrin Falls, Ohio; from which most of the finished product is shipped to over 80 customers in North America and Europe.
GOVERNOR HASLAM, COMMISSIONER HAGERTY ANNOUNCE SURFACE IGNITER, LLC TO RELOCATE HEADQUARTERS AND MANUFACTURING FACILITY TO MARYVILLE
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty, along with Surface Igniter, LLC officials today announced the company will relocate its headquarters and manufacturing facility to Maryville, Tenn. Surface Igniter, LLC will invest $3.8 million and create 108 new jobs over the next three years in Blount County.
“I want to thank Surface Igniter, LLC for relocating their business to Tennessee and adding these valuable jobs in Blount County,” 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-shore to Tennessee highlights our position as the state with the best balance sheet in the nation,” Hagerty said. “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.”
Surface Igniter, LLC is consolidating and moving to Blount County from two locations: Puerto Rico, which houses production facilities; and Chagrin Falls, Ohio, which served as their headquarters, warehousing and distribution. They will lease 54,000 square feet of space at 1709 Henry G. Lane Dr. in Maryville.
“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 pioneered the development of the silicon carbide igniter in 1969. Today, Surface Igniter, LLC is a leading manufacturer of hot surface igniters for the heating, cooking, clothes dryer and BBQ grill industries. At the Maryville facility, production will involve extrusion of graphite material, heat treating and furnace processes, assembly and testing.
“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.”
Equipment is scheduled to arrive at the Maryville location at the end of September with installation, training and process qualification beginning in October. Phase one production is expected to begin in November.
Surface Igniter will initially hire 54 employees. There are openings for 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.
The additional positions will be hired in October and November. Those interested in positions can apply by emailing [email protected].
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies, which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tn.gov/ecd. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.