Governor Bill Haslam, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Rockline Industries officials announced Thursday that the consumer goods manufacturer and supplier will form a new subsidiary, Iatric Manufacturing Solutions, and locate a new facility in Hamblen County. Rockline and Iatric Manufacturing will invest $40.3 million and create approximately 250 new jobs in Morristown.
“When a company like Rockline not only chooses to locate new operations here, but also to launch a new business, it showcases Tennessee’s strong business-friendly environment that promotes success and growth in our state,” Governor Haslam said.
“We want to thank Rockline for creating over 200 new jobs in Hamblen County and I look forward to forming a partnership with Rockline that will lead us one step closer to our goal of making Tennessee the number one location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”
“I appreciate Rockline for choosing Morristown as the location for its new facility and new venture, Iatric Manufacturing Solutions,” Comm. Rolfe said. “Manufacturing is one of Tennessee’s top industries, employing over 333,000 Tennesseans, and I am grateful that Rockline will expand this growing sector by creating 250 new jobs in Hamblen County.”
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"For over 40 years, Rockline Industries has been a leader in the consumer goods industry, manufacturing and supplying the best retailers in the world with medical wipes, baby wipes, coffee filters and other consumer products. Rockline’s products are used in the consumer, health care, food service and hospitality industries," officials said.
“Rockline is on the forefront of wet wipes product innovation and design. With the creation of Iatric, we will continue our company’s tradition of turning great ideas into convenient solutions that help people lead cleaner, healthier lives,” Will Green, vice president of contract manufacturing services at Rockline Industries, said.
"With this expansion, Rockline will form its new subsidiary, Iatric Manufacturing Solutions, which was born out of the rapidly increasing demand for Rockline’s innovative wet wipes products," officials said.
The new facility will be located in a 435,000-square-foot state-of-the-art FDA-registered facility in Morristown. The new plant will be operational beginning in 2018.
Local leaders and partners expressed gratitude to Rockline for choosing to locate its new operations in Hamblen County.
“The decision by Rockline Industries to locate its facility in Morristown is a big win for all involved in the preparation work that preceded today’s announcement,” Morristown Mayor Gary D. Chesney said. “Rockline is a top-quality company bringing jobs and a unique product to our community. The City of Morristown is very pleased to welcome our newest corporate citizen. I’m certain the economic impact will be rewarding for both employer and employee.”
“It’s another exciting announcement for Morristown, Hamblen County and the entire Lakeway region,” Hamblen County Mayor Bill Brittain said. “I enjoyed watching our partners discover and meet the needs of Rockline Industries during the negotiation process. It was a total team effort that will bring another international company to the region to provide more high quality, good paying jobs for our citizens.”
“The announcement of Rockline Industries locating in Morristown provides not only a significant amount of jobs and investment, but the revitalization of a shuttered industrial complex,” Marshall Ramsey, president of the Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce, said. “Rockline’s commitment to communities’ beautification and education was very evident after visiting their facilities, and we are excited to welcome them to Hamblen County as our newest industrial tenant.”
“TVA and Morristown Utilities Commission congratulate Rockline Industries on its decision to locate and create many new job opportunities in Hamblen County,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “Helping to foster job creation and investment in the Valley is fundamental to TVA’s mission of service, and we are proud to partner with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce to help further that mission.”