KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A group of local leaders gathered in Knoxville on Friday to mark the opening of a new facility by a 3D-printing company specializing in jet engine development and parts manufacturing.
The Knoxville Chamber said Beehive Industries spent around $4 million in Knoxville to create and start operating the facility, and around 150 people are expected to be hired there. The company said people would be hired in the manufacturing, engineering and machining fields.
"Really, we're in the innovation corridor. We've got Oak Ridge National Lab, the University of Tennessee. So, it makes a lot of sense from a development standpoint to look at new materials, new processes like additive manufacturing. This area is able to support that. If you look at the workforce as well, it's a very high-skilled and well-developed workforce," said Jonaaron Jones, the president of Beehive’s Additive Manufacturing Sales.
Congressman Tim Burchett (R - Tenn.) said the facility would also keep 45 jobs in Knoxville, and he hoped it would lead to more people being hired in the future.