Gov. Phil Bredesen today joined with Matt Kisber, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and community officials from Rutherford County in announcing plans by NHK Seating of America, Inc. to locate a manufacturing facility for automotive parts near the intersection of I-24 and Joe B. Jackson Parkway.

“Tennessee continues to be a leading location for investment from the automotive industry,” Bredesen said. “Our state’s longstanding trade and investment ties with Japan and this investment by NHK demonstrate a high level of confidence in our state’s business climate and the ability of Tennessee workers to compete globally in the areas of efficiency, productivity and quality.”

NHK will spend nearly $54 million to construct the facility beginning in October 2010, and the facility is expected to employ up to 224 workers when all phases of production are implemented in 2015.

“We’re grateful to NHK for their investment in our state and their confidence in Tennessee workers,” Kisber said. “ECD’s strong partnership with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and local elected officials was integral to making this project happen, and we look forward to working with Murfreesboro and Rutherford County in the future.”

NHK Seating of America is headquartered in Franklin, Ind. and has been in automotive parts production in the U.S. since 1987. Initial production at the Murfreesboro facility will be the manufacture of automotive seat frames, but company officials say they hope to expand the product line over time.

“I couldn’t be more pleased NHK has chosen to make this investment in Murfreesboro,” said Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg. “The company has a strong reputation for quality and reliability within the automotive industry, and they’ll be creating good quality jobs for our community.”

“The success of this project is a testament to the strong working relationship between our Chamber, Destination Rutherford, Rutherford County, the city of Murfreesboro and the state of Tennessee,” said Norman Brown, chairman, Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. “We are also grateful for the efforts of TVA as well as the Middle Tennessee Industrial Development Association. I believe NHK will be a strong addition to our growing roster of corporate citizens.”

NHK’s announcement comes as planning is underway for the annual gathering of business leaders from Japan and the southeastern U.S. in Nashville for the 34th annual SEUS-Japan Association conference Oct. 16-19.

Japan is Tennessee’s largest investor nation and the state’s fourth largest trading partner.

More than 160 Japanese companies operate in Tennessee, representing $13 billion in capital investment and 35,000 jobs. Japanese customers purchased more than $1 billion in Tennessee goods and services in 2009.

•••

Interstate Warehousing, Inc., a Tippmann Group company is expanding their facility located on Joe B. Jackson Parkway.

Interstate Warehousing is among the top 10 public refrigerated warehouse companies in the United States, with more than 68,000,000 cubic feet of refrigerated and frozen storage space throughout the country.

In addition to the Murfreesboro facility, Interstate Warehousing also has locations in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Virginia, and Colorado.

“Murfreesboro has proven to be an excellent location for Interstate Warehousing, and we’re excited to expand our presence here,” said Chuck Tippmann, Tippmann Group/Interstate Warehousing President. “We look forward to watching our company grow in Murfreesboro.”

Interstate Warehousing opened the Murfreesboro facility in 2006 and has 38 employees.

The company plans to expand their current operations by adding 130,000 square feet of temperature-controlled space, and is expected to hire an additional 31 employees once the project is completed.