Hitachi Zosen Inova Recognized as Innovator Recipient at Pinnacle Business Awards

The Knoxville Chamber is pleased to announce Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI) as the recipient of the Pinnacle Business Award in the Innovator category. HZI is a global leader in energy from waste, including waste incineration and renewable gas. The Innovator Award, sponsored by Vistage, is given to an East Tennessee business that has developed a new technology, innovative product or service, or applied a business system or service in an innovative way. 

“HZI is honored to receive the Pinnacle Innovator Award, and we appreciate the support we have received from the Chamber and the Knoxville community,” said Heath Jones, Hitachi Zosen Inova U.S.A. LLC’s Managing Director.  “HZI’s technologies help businesses and communities turn their waste into a powerful source of value renewable energy while reducing greenhouse gases. Building that sort of innovative business requires a skilled workforce, a friendly business climate, and an innovative culture.  HZI is thrilled that it has found that combination—along with a beautiful, livable city—here in east Tennessee.”

HZI acts as project developer, technology supplier and engineering, procurement, and construction contractor delivering complete, turnkey plants and system solutions for thermal and biological waste recovery. Its solutions are based on efficient and environmentally sound technologies, are thoroughly tested, and can be flexibly adapted to customer requirements. HZI’s proprietary anaerobic digestion and biogas upgrading technology, and its worldwide leadership in the renewable gas industry, gives it an important foothold in the organic waste market.

“HZI is a great example of the companies needed to transition Knoxville’s economy. Innovative entrepreneurship and high-skilled talent,” said Mike Odom, Knoxville Chamber president and CEO. “I am thankful for the contributions being made by companies like Hitachi Zosen Inova that choose to call Knoxville home.”

The annual Pinnacle Business Awards, presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners, celebrate regional business excellence, honoring outstanding professionals in nine categories for their contributions to the greater Knoxville economy. Winners are selected by the Knoxville Chamber Board of Directors. Over 80 companies were nominated for 2023 recognition.

“Congratulations to all Pinnacle Business Award winners. When local businesses thrive, so do the communities they serve. That’s why Pinnacle Financial Partners set out to be a small business and commercial bank from the very beginning,” said Mike DiStefano, Pinnacle’s Knoxville president. “We know how hard it is to run a company, much less make it successful, and we’ll do everything we can to help build that success. It’s an honor to be part of this program and help recognize the home-grown players in Knoxville’s economy.”

For in-depth video interviews and more information on the 2023 Pinnacle Business Award recipients, visit www.knoxvillechamber.com/pinnacle.