Blount County’s AESSEAL to expand facility

8/30/2012

AESSEAL, one of the world's leading specialists in the design and manufacture of mechanical seals and support systems, marks 20 years in the community with a new expansion to its North American headquarters in Stock Creek Industrial Park. The expansion will be a $3.3 million, 15,000 square-foot addition to the Dunavant Drive location in Rockford, Tenn.

Bryan Daniels, Blount Partnership president/CEO, commented, "AESSEAL has been an excellent addition since moving to Blount County in 2008. We visited their UK headquarters during an economic development trade mission and they provided valuable contacts and endorsements for business development in the county. This investment follows the $4.445 million venture made when they acquired the land and building formally owned by Arrowhead Manufacturing."

Daniels added, "The synergy between businesses and local and state government really takes away any hesitation investors have about the area. The results can be seen with more than 1300 jobs and $115 million in capital investment over the past 20 months."

AESSEAL manufactures mechanical seals, which are environmental containment products used on all types of rotating equipment in process industries.

AESSEAL is a part of the AES Engineering Limited group of companies, based in Rotherham, UK. The $50 million North American business comprises approximately 20 percent of AES's global business.

The AES Engineering group has 230 locations in 104 countries, with nine manufacturing locations and 58 full-service repair locations.

The local project is being led by manufacturing manager Andrew Driver, who stated, "The building expansion will include special 30-inch foundation footings for the 9-axis machining centers and we will have capacity for five additional machines. Construction will start immediately and follows a six-month feasibility review led by Michael Brady and Associates in coordination with our UK architects. Local contractor, Richardson Turner Construction has been awarded the construction project; they were the prime contractor for the reconfiguration of the building, when we moved into it in 2008."

Chris Rea, group managing director, commented on the AES Engineering Board decision to expand manufacturing in Rockford. "We have a great number of people who have made a huge contribution to the substantial business that we have in the U.S. I sincerely believe the decision to manufacture in Blount County will be a catalyst for accelerated growth in the country."

"We were impressed with the quality of AESSEAL, when we visited them in 2008. The quality of the workforce and their manufacturing expertise is second to none. AES is the type of business we are working hard to bring to Blount County", said Greg McClain, Maryville City Manager.

Mark Johnson, Alcoa City Manager, went on to state, "The buildings in Stock Creek were designed with an expansion pad and corrugated wall for this very purpose. From our visit to the UK, we are pleased AESSEAL will build out the full capacity of the building footprint; their on-going investment is a benefit to our community."

"AESSEAL has been an outstanding employer in this community," said Blount County Mayor Ed Mitchell. "It's a real pleasure to see businesses wanting to stay and continue expanding their operations. That speaks volumes for how business-friendly Blount County is."

Source: Blount County Chamber of Commerce