Denso Manufacturing Plant to expand in Athens

The Denso plant in Athens. (Courtesy: DENSO)

ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF)- Athens received some big economic news Thursday.

 A $100 million dollar investment from Denso Manufacuring is going to lead to over 200 new jobs here in Athens and McMinn County. 

The investment is the largest for the Japanese automotive components manufacturer since they first set up shop in Athens in 19-97.

Marty Dechane, the President of Denso Manufacturing in Athens, said, “Here in the Denso Athens facility we make spark plugs. We make exhaust gas sensors, and fuel injection systems. This expansion will expand us into heating and air cooling systems, as well as electronic control units for automobiles.”

He touts how steadfast Denso is as a manufacturer.

Dechane said, “The automotive industry right now is quite volatile. The powertrain mix is changing and products are changing with the electronics and communications systems in the vehicle. So with that type of change we want to be very flexible with our manufacturing and be able to respond to our O-E-M customers and the consumer’s needs.”

Denso has become the largest manufacturer in Athens and McMinn County, which has helped steer the county’s economy in a new direction.

McMinn County Mayor John Gentry said, “McMinn County was home of Bowater, which was the Western Hemisphere’s largest newspaper mill, and today people don’t really read newspapers anymore. We thought about what would’ve happened if Denso hadn’t chosen Athens and McMinn County 26-27 years ago. Their employment numbers after this, are probably going to be 1,600 to 1,800, and that’s more than what we had at the newspaper plant.”

Officials hope to parlay this into even more economic announcements.

Athens Mayor Steve Sherlin says, “In Chattanooga and Knoxville, they’re filling up their industrial areas. Same is the case in Cleveland nearby, they’re running out of industrial space. We’re able to expand our industrial space, clearing new land at an industrial park.”

Mayor Gentry added, “This doesn’t happen because of a mayor or a local government necessarily. It happens because the associates put out a quality product. They believe in Denso because Denso believes in them. It’s how manufacturing is supposed to operate.”

Denso says they are already looking for applicants for those new positions.

If you are interested in applying for one of those positions, we have a link here.