National Partitions and Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale broke ground on the company’s new manufacturing site today. The new manufacturing facility is located in located in WestBridge Business Park. The building will be 120,000 square feet and the company anticipates hiring 300 employees.

“I’m thrilled that they are coming here and excited about their potential for growth in Knox County,” said Mayor Mike Ragsdale. “This is a great company coming to a great community.”

National Partitions is the nation’s largest manufacturer of industrial modular wall systems. The Knoxville facility will require an estimated investment of $11 million. Wages for manufacturing positions are expected to average $11 per hour and salaries for support and office positions will average $50,000.

“We are very eager to expand to Knoxville and feel that it will be a monumental move for the company,” said Tony D’Andrea, President of National Partitions.

Jobs Now! played a major role in the successful recruitment of National Partitions by providing funding for the Economic Development arm of the Chamber to make a personal visit to the company at its headquarters in Florida.

“Companies often visit various sites throughout the country to explore their potential for expansion,” said Doug Lawyer, Director of Economic Development for the Knoxville Chamber. “But rarely do the local representatives return the favor. With Jobs Now! support we are able to make those visits. That special attention lets a company know we are really serious about working with them to get them here.”

D’Andrea feels that Knoxville is an ideal location for the new manufacturing plant. “Knoxville is a great area for us,” enthused D’Andrea. “Not only does it have ideal roadways, the cost of living is low, taxes are low, there are great schools in close proximity and there’s a skilled workforce.”

National Partitions provides wall systems for all types of applications including industrial, institutional and commercial projects and envision future construction of an additional 120,000 square foot facility.