Governor Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with Ryuji Matsumoto, president of VIAM Manufacturing Inc., have announced plans to locate VICAM in Manchester.The company is a newly formed subsidiary of leading nonwoven materials producer Japan Vilene Company (JVC) to be managed by VIAM Manufacturing and utilize technology developed by Oyama Chemical. VICAM will build a facility for the production of a polyester-based carpet fiber that is expected to open in January 2012, and represents an investment of $32 million and 70 new jobs when all phases of construction are complete.
The plant will be located on a 12-acre site that will house a 44,000 square foot facility with the capability for a future expansion of 120,000 square feet. Future expansion plans include supplying PET stable carpet fiber to VIAM Manufacturing in their manufacture of automotive floor mats. As a producer of high quality, custom design floor, trunk and cargo mats, VIAM is a supplier for many of the big automotive companies, including Nissan North America, Inc.
“I couldn’t be more pleased VICAM has chosen to make this investment in Coffee County,” said Coffee County Mayor David Pennington. “VIAM Manufacturing has a strong reputation for quality and reliability within the automotive industry, and VICAM will be creating good quality jobs for our community.”
JVC was established in 1960 in Japan and has become a world leader in nonwoven products. In 2008, VIAM’s Manchester location became the headquarters for VIAM North America, a leader in automotive floor mats and interior products.
