By Brian Mosely

Special to the Tribune

SHELBYVILLE -- Lewisburg will get more than 500 new jobs over the next few years as Calsonic Kansei North America (CKNA) announced a major expansion Tuesday. The announcement was made at the company's Shelbyville headquarters.

The company, the largest parts supplier for Nissan in North America, will be investing $109.6 million and adding 1,200 new manufacturing jobs across its facilities in Lewisburg, Shelbyville, and Smyrna.

In Lewisburg, CKNA will invest $49.8 million and over the next three years will add 526 new jobs. The investment in Lewisburg also include the construction of a new 300,000 square foot warehouse facility.

The 1,117 employees now in Lewisburg manufacture electronic components for meters, inverters and dash electronics, and plastics components for interiors.

The Shelbyville facility will receive an investment of approximately $57.6 million and an additional 489 new jobs will be created over the next three years. The Shelbyville plant employs 1,010 people, making exhaust units, catalytic converters and manifolds.

At the Smyrna facility, located within the Nissan plant, CKNA will invest $2.1 million, and create approximately 183 new jobs over the next three years, in addition to the 469 people who already work there.

Marshall County Mayor Joe Boyd Liggett, Lewisburg Mayor Jim Bingham, Mike Wiles, and Greg Lowe were among the officials attending Tuesday's ceremony.

"We in Marshall County are excited about CKNA on their announcement of expansion and the creation of new jobs," said Liggett in a state news release. "This means more opportunities for those who are willing to work to be able to feed their families and pay their bills. CKNA is also to be commended on their commitment of capital investment in these counties."

"Lately the automotive sector has been really good to this area," said Wiles the next day. "With all these jobs, this is almost like recruiting a new company. It was a good announcement."

"They are a great company that has been great for the community," said Lowe. "We are so proud of their growth."

"It was a great day for Lewisburg," said Bingham. "I can't take credit for much of this. It all started before I was elected. The people who really need recognition are Eddie Wiles, Greg Lowe, and the Industrial Development Board, and the relationship they have developed with CKNA. My hat's off to those of you who worked on that for years and months."

Big boost

Gov. Bill Haslam said it was an exciting to announce this many new jobs, to add to the 2,600 people who already work for CKNA.

"It proves the benefit of our strategy of building on our established business growth and on an industry of strength for us, which is automotive," Haslam told reporters following the announcement.

With 275 other companies in the state supplying the automotive industry, Haslam said, "there's a whole virtual circle that adds to the whole Tennessee economy."

Thirty years ago, Nissan established itself in Smyrna, with Calsonic setting down roots in Shelbyville. Haslam said he believed Nissan's growth led to the many suppliers moving to this area to serve the plant.

Started small

Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty noted the state has ranked No. 1 in the nation for automotive manufacturing strength for four years running.

"With a low tax rate, unbeatable logistical advantages and high quality workforce, Tennessee offers companies a unique opportunity to thrive," Hagerty said. "I appreciate Calsonic Kansei, Inc.'s investment and the valuable jobs they will provide for Tennesseans."

Bob Masteller, CKNA's vice president human resources and legal, called the day historic for the company, saying the last governor to visit the company was Lamar Alexander in 1983 -- when they opened as a small start-up company with only five employees.

CKNA president and CEO Shingo Yamamoto said the growth of the company is due to the state's business climate and the people who work here -- praising employees in all three counties for building the business that exists today.

"Without you, we would have not achieved the success we have," Yamamoto said.

Past pride

Mike Layne, CKNA SVP finance, HR, and administration, said there was "a whole lot of pride about their past," noting he started as a manufacturing engineer nearly 30 years ago.

When Layne began work for CKNA, the company's annual sales was $50 million, including other plants in the U.S. and Mexico. Today, CKNA sales are over $2.5 billion, and half of the company's employees live and work in Tennessee.

Following the announcement, Haslam and others took a tour of the plant and met with workers.