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Murfreeesboro company to bring some 250 jobs to area


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Some 100-250 new jobs will be brought to Middle Tennessee as Murfreesboro-based The Davis Groupe contracts with a Washington-based company to protype, manufacture and distribute LED lights.

This is big news for Rutherford County as in phases two and three of the project some 2,000 jobs could be created over the long term, said state Sen. Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) during a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

Up to 250 jobs could be created within 18 months.

The Davis Groupe will manufacture, protype and distribute 30 different types of lights under the Aladdin Mantle Lamp Company name, which is based in Clarksville.

Jimmy Davis, chief manager of The Davis Groupe, said those looking for jobs should remain patient. Information about jobs, which will first include assembly jobs, will be available on the company's Web site www.davisgroupe.com

“I think it is big in more than one way,” said Holly Weber, vice president of economic development for the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. “It is job creation. It is bringing a new industry into Middle Tennessee.

The Davis Groupe has contracted with NCS Power to prototype, manufacture and distribute LED lights.

LED lighting is currently becoming the new source of lighting preferred by municipal governments and private developers. LED lighting is a more sustainable, environmentally friendly method of lighting. The LED lights have been proven to last longer than traditional lighting methods and reduce energy costs. Currently, The Davis Groupe is seeking orders and has met with several municipalities and companies in middle Tennessee.

Currently, the LED lights from NCS Power are being manufactured in China.

The relationship between The Davis Groupe and NCS Power will bring that technology and the assembly/manufacturing operations to Murfreesboro and the region.

Ketron has been the force behind the development of this partnership.

The Davis Groupe has been in Murfreesboro for more than 12 years.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Murfreesboro, the region and Tennessee for us to become the leader in alternative energy and sustainability”, Davis said. "It fits very nicely with Lance Chandler’s (Chief Technology Officer of NCS) vision that Tennessee should be the lighting capital of the world as well as Sen. Bill Ketron’s vision that Tennessee be “The (Alternative) Energy capital of the world”.

LED lights are more durable and can last up to 50,000 hours.

The Davis Groupe has its roots deeply entrenched in the automotive industry, being an OEM supplier to Nissan and Toyota. The company views this is an opportunity to transfer the skill sets and technology from the automotive industry to alternative energy practices and technology.

“Through our efforts with Destination Rutherford, we continue to find opportunities for our existing companies and new companies to do business in Rutherford County. This is an exciting day for our community and we will continue our strategy to diversify our economic base,” Weber said.

The Davis Groupe plans to partner with many companies in Tennessee to transition all R&D, assembly, manufacturing and distribution of the LED lighting products.
 
 
 
Tagged under  Chamber, jobs, unemployment


Member Opinions:
By: ItsGood on 7/21/09
but NO LED signs in the city where LED lights are produced. Interesting irony.

By: Fishmonkey on 7/21/09
You are right, ItsGood. That is funny! May be time to give those "no LED sign laws" a second look. After all, if we are to be the "lighting capital of the world..."

By: ItsGood on 7/21/09
Well, with Cummins Sign here at one time people know of that large Murfreesboro industry - but it went away.

By: Geana on 7/21/09
Hmmm.. seems like some are confusing LED lights with garish neon signs? No really, LED lights come in many forms. Maybe the city will strike a better deal with the company to obtain and replace streetlights as they burn out, not months later.

Personally, I admit, I hate LED signs, billboards and what not. One of the most beautiful "signs" is the Harley-Davidson logo incorporated into its outside wall. Strong, tasteful, defined.

By: ItsGood on 7/21/09
Geana, and expensive. Not all small business ventures can afford such. Plus, that is a corporate logo that is known by many. A small business such as Martin's could not afford such, nor would their logo be recognizable to the masses.

By: Geana on 7/22/09
I take your point, though I'm not quite sure how Martin's signage fits in as far as an example. Nor can we compare NCS Power as a giant industry crowding out the small business. It's market is pretty much universal. Let's all look at the big picture. JOBS.

By: canalou on 7/22/09
It's positive...jobs, jobs, jobs...at a time most of America is in recession...let our "little light" shine.

By: ItsGood on 7/22/09
"Maybe the city will strike a better deal with the company to obtain and replace streetlights as they burn out, not months later"

City still would need labor to install lights that have burn out as this is only a manufacturer.

By: Geana on 7/22/09
Yes, ItsGood. i didn't mean to imply that the NCS Power would "install" the lighting. My apologies for having two trains of thought running in one sentence.

better deal = obtaining the lighting from NCS Power at a better price than what they may currently pay

replace streetlights as they burn out, not months later = maybe the city has an insufficient supply of replacement lights or maybe they just don't know until a resident alerts them, but they do take months

By: nobodyhere on 7/24/09
I believe Murfreesboro's has plan to put stop lights at 50 foot intervals to stop all traffic for getting anywhere. The LED company may thrive as a result of poor city planning. While we are all waiting in traffic it would be a good time to view all the modern and efficient adds on LCD/LED signs. If that is ever legal again.


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