Denso Invests $400 Million, Adds 500 Jobs At Tennessee Operations

Japanese auto supplier Denso announced Tuesday it plans to add 500 jobs and invest $400 million to expand its electronics manufacturing capabilities and build a new warehouse at its manufacturing facility in Maryville, Tenn.

The new 186,528-square-foot warehouse allows Denso Manufacturing Tennessee (DMTN) to consolidate its various warehouse operations in the Maryville area into one campus, while the additional manufacturing space will be used to produce products such as head-up displays, meters and electronic control units, officials said.

“Denso is committed to strengthening and expanding its product development and manufacturing capabilities across the region, and we’re excited about the additional opportunities this expansion will bring to our company, our employees, the Maryville community and the state of Tennessee,” said Jack Helmboldt, president of DMTN.

In January 2013, Denso first announced it would invest nearly $1 billion in North America over the next four years, which will result in more than 2,000 jobs across the region. Company officials said the investment will allow Denso to better support its North American customers, as well as expand new business areas and localize products, many of which will help automakers meet upcoming fuel requirements. More than $750 million will be invested in the United States alone, along with more than 1,200 jobs.

Separately, Denso said it will present a $50,000 donation to Blount Memorial Hospital in Maryville and another donation of $50,000 to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in Knoxville in observance of the company’s 25th anniversary in that state.

Earlier this year, Denso officials shook up the company’s North American operations as the world’s second largest auto parts giant seeks to expand and ramp up its U.S. business amid flailing sales in Europe and the Far East.

Andris Staltmanis was promoted to president of DENSO Manufacturing Michigan, Inc. (DMMI), which oversees the manufacturing activities of Denso’s North American Center Business Group, or TAC.

Staltmanis, based in Denso’s regional headquarters in Southfield, Mich., is also currently the president of Denso Manufacturing Arkansas in Osceola, where nearly 500 employees are employed. Staltmanis has maintained his role as chief of Denso Manufacturing Arkansas, while taking on additional executive duties, company officials said.

Denso’s sister manufacturing operations in Tennessee is the Japanese auto supplier’s largest operation in North America, where more than 3,500 people are employed at its Maryville facilities. The facilities manufacture electronic automotive products and fuel management systems for several top automakers, including Toyota, Honda, GM, Chrysler, Ford, Hyundai and Subaru.