Century expands automotive injection molding in Tennessee, Mexico

Automotive injection molder Century Mold Inc. will invest $4.2 million to expand its Shelbyville, TN plant, a move that ultimately will create 58 new jobs. Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty joined with representatives from Century Mold to announce the investment on Jan. 13.

According to the company's website, the operation in Shelbyville covers 100,000 sq ft, and runs 25 injection molding machines, ranging in clamp force from 60 to 1150 tons. It also has a full tool room with the capacity to build molds up to 20,000 lb.

In early 2012 Century Mold will start construction on a new injection molding facility in Queretaro, Mexico located in the El Marques Industrial Park.  The company plans to invest more than $15 million on new equipment for this facility over the next 36 months, with the plant to cover approximately 100,000 sq ft and able to house injection molding machines up to 3500 tons. 

Century anticipated that facility being complete early in the fourth quarter of 2012, with actual production to start as early as January 2013. The facility will house up to 40 machines in larger tonnages ranging from 390 tons to 2200 tons by 2016 including two shot injection molding machines.

Century estimates that 75% of its revenue comes from the automotive sector with the remaining 25% generated by the defense, heavy truck, furniture, alternative energy and general industry sectors. In addition to Shelbyville, TN and its headquarters in Rochester, NY, Century has production facilities in Middletown OH and a sales/Ttechnical center in Wixom, MI.

Automotive revs up in Tennessee

Commissioner Hagerty noted the automotive's recent acceleration in Tennessee in a release announcing Century's plans. "The automotive industry in Tennessee is steadily growing and thriving, and it's exciting to see companies like Century Mold prospering in our state." Hagerty said.

Over the first half of 2011, four automotive-related industries announced new investment in the state, adding to the nearly 900 automotive-related enterprises already employing more than 105,000 workers, according to BusinessClimate.com. This included the May 2011 opening of the $1 billion Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga. That operation will employ 2000 and produce an estimated 150,000 cars annually.

In 2012, production will start in Tennessee on the Nissan Leaf all-electric vehicle, with plants in Smyrna to employ more than 1300 workers and have the capacity to produce 150,000 electric cars and 200,000 batteries annually.