TENNESSEE: New Breed Logistics’ $23M expansion will create 468 new jobs
New Breed Logistics is investing $23 million to expand its operations in Memphis, a project that will create 468 new warehouse and distribution jobs.
Founded in 1968 and headquartered in High Point, N.C., New Breed Logistics is a privately held, third-party logistics provider that manages millions of square feet of ISO-quality warehouse space across more than 75 distribution centers and employs more than 7,500 people worldwide. Services range from distribution center operations and transportation management to highly sophisticated, technology-enabled solutions for product assembly, reverse logistics and repair, lean manufacturing support, materials management, procurement and aftermarket services. The company currently has six locations in the Greater Memphis area that encompass around 3 million s.f. and employ more than 2,200 people. The new space will add another 404,000 s.f.
The expansion is tied to a new client New Breed has secured that has not yet been publicly named. Other clients New Breed serves in the Memphis market include Siemens Medical, Verizon Wireless and Boeing.
TENNESSEE: Solar panel polysilcon plant cuts staff before it opens
Hemlock Semiconductor Group announced in early January that it will be laying off nearly 75 percent of its work force in Clarksville, Tenn. – and production at the plant hasn’t even yet begun.
Hemlock began construction in 2009 on a $1.2 billion plant to produce polycrystalline silicon for the solar power industry. The company anticipated hiring a least 500 workers to support production, which was supposed to ramp up this year. Now, however, the Michigan-based company finds itself faced with a “significant oversupply in the polysilicon industry and the threat of protective tariffs on its product sold into China.”
Hemlock had hired approximately 400 workers in Clarksville thus far, 277 of whom are now being laid off.
“This is a difficult but necessary decision to enable Hemlock Semiconductor to navigate the volatility in the polysilicon and solar industries,” Hemlock President Andrew Tometich said. “The unresolved trade disputes among the U.S., China and Europe are a major factor in Hemlock Semiconductor’s actions as the threat of tariffs on U.S. polysilicon imported into China has significantly decreased orders from China, which is home to one of the largest markets for our products.”
The company is also laying off 100 workers at its plant in Hemlock, Mich.
According to The (Clarksville) Leaf-Chronicle, Tometich said the Clarksville plant may not open this year, but insisted that it will open.
“Our full intent is to use this plant,” he said. “It’s not a question of if, but when, and we very much look forward to that.”
Add Comment