Protomet Corporation is quickly ramping up its $30 million expansion project in Loudon County. To-date, the company has hired 40 new employees as part of the expansion and plans to fill 50 more new positions in the next 12 months. The company also has invested more than $10 million in new equipment.
Protomet, which has offices in Oak Ridge, Tenn., announced last summer that the nearly 250,000-square foot expansion in Loudon County would be at the former Maremont production facility on Maremont Parkway. The expansion will eventually create 200 new jobs for the region. Protomet plans to host a Job Fair in Loudon County this summer.
Protomet officials say the company’s success requires additional manufacturing space to add new production capabilities and increase the company’s output. Protomet, which was founded in Oak Ridge 20 years ago, has experienced growth in excess of 25 percent annually in recent years. The company currently employs nearly 150 people.
“We are excited to see the new Protomet operation coming to life in Loudon County,” Jeff Bohanan, founder and CEO of Protomet said. “This expansion positions us for an exciting future and we look forward to being actively involved in this community.”
“Protomet now has facilities in Anderson and Loudon counties – and additional land next to our Oak Ridge location that allows for future growth when we need it. This is a big win for everyone involved.”
Bohanan said Protomet is actively looking for employees at all levels to fill a variety of positions. The company plans to hire senior-level management personnel (shift production managers, etc.), experienced technical personnel (CNC service engineers, design and manufacturing engineers, etc.) and a large number of manufacturing associates.
“Protomet has been one of Tennessee’s leading growth companies during the past several years and I’m pleased to see it expand further with this operation in Loudon,” Gov. Bill Haslam said. “East Tennessee’s advanced manufacturing and engineering base continues to grow considerably and the creation of 200 new jobs by Protomet brings us closer to making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high-quality jobs.”
Protomet worked with the Tennessee Department of Economic Development (TDEC) as well as both the Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board and the Loudon County Economic Development Agency to make the Loudon County expansion a reality.
“It feels great that we can now call Anderson County and Loudon County home,” Bohanan said.
Just five years ago, Protomet more than doubled the size of its Oak Ridge operations when the company opened a $10 million plant expansion that included 22,000 square-feet of new space and high-tech automated manufacturing equipment from around the world.
Since 1997 Protomet Corporation has been a world-class provider of engineering and manufacturing solutions and services. In addition to comprehensive design services, Protomet provides high-precision production manufacturing and finishing for clients in a variety of markets including marine/boating, automotive, homeland security, industrial, energy and power. Protomet works with its customers to enhance their existing products while reducing overall costs.
In recent years, Protomet also introduced a proprietary line of products marketed under the PTM Edge Watersports brand that makes and markets boating mirrors and wakeboard tower components for boats of all kinds. Protomet and the PTM Edge product line have won numerous international industry awards as well as multiple IBEX Innovation Awards for its ski/wake towers and mirrors.
The Protomet family of companies was named one of Tennessee’s “Fast 50” (the state’s fastest growing companies). For more information about Protomet, visit www.Protomet.com.
