An employee at the La-Z-Boy factory in Dayton, Tenn.
Lodge Cast Iron Cookware Foundry in South Pittsburg, Tenn.

Chattanooga Top Advantages

Located at the cross section of three major interstates—I-75, I-59 and I-24—the Chattanooga region is considered a logistical sweet spot. Excellent north/south and east/west connectivity means manufacturers located here can take advantage of one-day shipping to one-third of U.S. consumer markets. Less than a two-hour drive from metro Atlanta, Birmingham, Nashville and Huntsville, the area enjoys easy access to some of the Southeast’s most flourishing markets and more than 150 transportation carriers. It’s no wonder the region is consistently named one of the top 10 distribution locations in the U.S.

In addition, the region’s proximity to universities such as Georgia Tech, Emory, Vanderbilt, Middle Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee Knoxville and the University of Alabama in Huntsville allows for an expansive approach to recruitment.

When it comes to site selection, the Chattanooga region boasts numerous low-cost utilities—including one of the country’s foremost smart grids—and an abundant water supply from the Tennessee River. And with the availability of electric power that meets the needs of any size manufacturer, selecting one of the region’s numerous sites is easier than ever.

Manufacturing companies that choose the Chattanooga region benefit from not only a wide selection of strategically located sites and a well-prepared labor force, but tremendous cost savings. Property taxes are not collected on goods-in-process, inventoried finished goods, inventoried for-sale merchandise, goods in transit or government-required pollution control equipment. As further incentive, tax abatements allow qualified businesses to substantially reduce their property tax burden. Foreign Trade Zone opportunities, state training and infrastructure grants are also available throughout the region.

3D printing robot at Branch Technology

Branch Technology

The collaborative spirit of the region helps startups like Branch Technology grow from an idea to a thriving advanced manufacturing business with international recognition.

Branch Technology revolutionized the construction industry with the world’s largest freeform 3-D printing robot designed to construct internal structures for buildings, and has joined several of the region’s other 3-D printing enterprises in what has developed into an emerging hub of additive manufacturing innovators.

World-Class Workforce
and Training

Companies in the region benefit from a large pool of non-union workers with manufacturing expertise. A boon to the continuous development of manufacturing talent, local community colleges and 12 accredited higher education institutions offer customized technical training programs that have served more than 200 businesses and trained more than 12,000 workers in a variety of sectors, including energy, chemicals, heavy equipment and automotive.

Two-Year Degrees

  • Automated Controls
  • Chemical Engineering Technology
  • Computer Systems
  • Design/Drafting Engineering Technology
  • Electrical & Instrumentation Systems
  • Engineering Systems Management
  • Industrial Technology
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Nuclear Power Engineering Technology
  • Quality Assurance/Quality Control Technology
  • Welding Engineering Technology

One-Year Technical Diplomas

  • Industrial Electronics
  • Industrial Maintenance Technician
  • Machine Tool Technology
  • Tool and Die Maintenance

Shaw Logo
Shaw Industries
Employees

9,132

Product/Service

Carpet & flooring

Location

Locations throughout region

Mohawk Logo
Mohawk
Employees

4,793

Product/Service

Carpet & rugs

Location

Locations throughout region

Roper Corp Logo
Roper Corp.
Employees

2,100

Product/Service

Cooking products

Location

LaFayette, GA

Astec Logo
Astec Industries, Inc.
Employees

1,620

Product/Service

Asphalt & const. equip.

Location

Chattanooga, TN

Whirlpool logo
Whirlpool Corp.
Employees

1,480

Product/Service

Appliances

Location

Cleveland, TN

La-z-boy logo
La-Z-Boy
Employees

1,400

Product/Service

Furniture

Location

Dayton, TN

Miller Industries
Miller Industries
Employees

773

Product/Service

Towing equipment

Location

Ooltewah, TN

Wacker Logo
Wacker Polysilicon
Employees

603

Product/Service

Polysilicon

Location

Charleston, TN

Komatsu logo
Komatsu America Corp.
Employees

388

Product/Service

Construction machinery

Location

Chattanooga, TN

Lake Regional Logo
Lake Region Medical
Employees

367

Product/Service

Machine tools

Location

Trenton, GA

Siemens logo
Siemens Energy Services
Employees

275

Product/Service

Electrical parts

Location

Fort Payne, AL

TN Rand Logo
Tennessee Rand
Employees

211

Product/Service

Custom machinery

Location

Chattanooga, TN

Valmont logo
Valmont Industries
Employees

200

Product/Service

Iron & steel pipe

Location

Jasper, TN

D&F Logo
D&F Equipment Sales Inc.
Employees

150

Product/Service

Farm machinery & equipment

Location

Crossville, AL

fillauer logo
Fillauer Companies, Inc.
Employees

131

Product/Service

Prosthetic devices

Location

Chattanooga, TN

Sherman + Reilly logo
Sherman & Reilly, Inc.
Employees

106

Product/Service

Fiber optic cable

Location

Chattanooga, TN