Fiberon to establish operations, bring over 300 jobs to Maury County
Fiberon, a manufacturer of wood alternative materials, will establish new manufacturing and distribution operations in Columbia, the Tennessee Department Economic and Community Development announced on Wednesday.
Fiberon, a subsidiary of Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc., will create 310 new jobs over the next five years, according to the Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance.
The new site will be located at the Tennessee Rail Site, located off of Oakland Parkway, in Columbia.
Founded in North Carolina in 1997, Fiberon is a leading U.S. manufacturer of wood-alternative decking, railing and cladding, and prides itself on serving customers with high-quality, eco-friendly products.
Today, the company employs more than 600 people across the U.S. through its bicoastal manufacturing and distribution operations in New London, North Carolina and Meridian, Idaho.
In the last five years, TNECD has supported nearly 20 economic development projects in Maury County resulting in roughly 3,700 job commitments and $4.3 billion in capital investment.
TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe explained that the locale of Maury County attracted the manufacturer to Tennessee.
"Our state’s central location facilitates easy access between businesses like Fiberon and their customers and suppliers," Rolfe said.
" We appreciate Fiberon for selecting Tennessee to plant roots and look forward to seeing this company grow and find success in Columbia.”
Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles said the manufacturer's investments will further bolster the economy in Maury County, a place that has become attractive to the manufacturing industry because if its high quality of life.
“Companies are increasingly taking note of the strategic location, business friendly environment, and high quality of life to select Maury County as their location of choice," Ogles said.
Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder said the announcement places Columbia, once again on the map as a growing manufacturing hub for the future.
“Today’s announcement is historic, and it is further evidence that Columbia, Tennessee has become one of the best places to live, work and raise a family," Molder said. "I am proud of everyone who assisted in this process and helping bring over 300 new jobs to our community."
John Bradley, Tennessee Valley Authority senior vice president of economic development, said the manufacturer will continue to help attract and retain job opportunities and investment in TVA.
Sen. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, and Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, praised the additional job opportunities and chance to enhance the work force in Maury County.
“Helping to foster job creation is a key part of our efforts and mission,” Hensley said.
“Fiberon's decision to make a substantial investment in Maury County is further proof of the strong, business-friendly environment that exists in our county and across Tennessee," Cepicky said.
More: Maury County economics in 2021: 'It was one of our biggest years'
Maury County generated multiple major project announcements last year.
Study group Smart Asset ranked Maury County as No. 1 in its list of top Tennessee counties with the most incoming investments in 2021.
The past year's highlights in economic growth include:
2,383 potential new jobs
4.5% unemployment rate
No. 1 for population growth rate in TN at 2.89%, according to the 2020 U.S. Census
More than $2.4 billion in capital investment
The biggest project was General Motors' announcement in October of a $2.3 billion investment to produce new electric vehicles, including is new fully-electric luxury SUV, the Cadillac Lyric at its Spring Hill plant.
Gov. Bill Lee called the project the largest single investment by a company in the state's history, which includes GM building a 2.8 million-square-foot facility to create Ultium Cells electric vehicle batteries.
This project would also bring 1,300 new manufacturing jobs to Maury County.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Fiberon to establish operations, bring 300 jobs to Maury County
