DENSO, a Japanese auto parts giant with a major presence in East Tennessee, will expand its operations in Athens through a $100 million investment that will add 200 jobs and 54,560 square feet of production space.
The company is already the largest employer in McMinn County, where Athens is the county seat, and the eighth largest employer in the Knoxville region.
The Athens expansion, announced by state and company leaders Oct. 24, will allow DENSO to produce its latest efficient vehicle heating and air conditioning system at the facility.
“This day opens another chapter in how we strive to provide great career opportunities locally while contributing to greener and safer mobility across North America,” Marty Deschenes, president of DENSO’s Athens facility, said in a news release.
DENSO covers millions of square feet in East Tennessee
In 1988, DENSO set up shop in Maryville, where it produces various safety components, instrument clusters and automotive electronic products across 2.6 million square feet.