- Shelbyville will add 101 jobs
- Factory will manufacture electrolyte for the electric vehicle battery industry
- Duksan Electera expects to supply 60,000 tons of electrolytes to battery makers in the Southeast
- Duksan Electera president praises local and state officials for helping company expand in USA
Duksan Electera America Inc. officials announced Wednesday the company will invest $95 million to locate its first North American factory in Shelbyville, the state reported.
A branch of South Korean-based Duksan Group, Duksan Electera is poised to create 101 new jobs in Bedford County over the next five years as the company builds the plant at 210 Frank Martin Road, according to a press release from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
As an electrolyte manufacturer for the electric vehicle battery industry, Duksan Electera’s expansion to Tennessee will position the company to be geographically closer to its core customer base.
The Shelbyville location could supply roughly 60,000 tons of electrolytes to battery makers in the southeastern U.S., according to the press release.
Duksan Electera President Suwan Lee explained why the global company eyed Shelbyville for its first North American location.
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“We have chosen the city of Shelbyville and Bedford County not only for its excellent location but also because of the warm welcome and passion we’ve felt from the city of Shelbyville, Bedford County, and the State of Tennessee,” Lee said.
Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham said in the press release that he’s proud to welcome Duksan Electera to Shelbyville.
“This major investment in our community will bring more jobs to our area and further strengthen our local economy,” Graham said. “I congratulate Duksan Electera on this exciting announcement and look forward to the company’s successful future here in Bedford County.”
Tennessee House Speaker Pro Tempore Pat Marsh, R-Shelbyville, also praised the jobs announcement.
“Bedford County is excited to be a part of bringing Duksan Electera to our communities,” Graham said in the press release. “Our collaboration with the city of Shelbyville, along with the formation of the Shelbyville-Bedford Partnership, has proven to be effective. We look forward to many more exciting things to come in Bedford County.”
State Sen. Shane Reeves, R-Murfreesboro, praised the $95 million factory investment from a Duksan Electera founded in 2021.
“I congratulate Duksan Electera and all our state and local officials who helped secure these jobs,” Reeves said in the press release. “We are looking forward to working with Duksan Electera toward a long and prosperous future.”
The Duksan Electera factory plan is among the state’s 50-plus economic development projects since 2018 in the southern Middle Tennessee region for an estimated 7,700 job commitments and $5 billion in capital investment, according to the press release.
Republican Gov. Bill Lee said in the press release that companies choose to call Tennessee home because of “our strong business climate and highly skilled workforce.”
The GM plant in Spring Hill is conducting a $4.3 million expansion this year centered around the electric Lyriq SUV, while Ford Motors is investing at least $5 billion at a new plant near Stanton, Tenn., expected to open in 2025.
“I commend Duksan Electera for choosing to locate its first North American manufacturing facility in Bedford County and thank this company for creating opportunities for Tennesseans to thrive.”
