Knoxville Locomotive Works Announces New Assembly and Fabrication Plant in Innovation Valley
Knoxville, Tenn. (PRWEB) November 21, 2013 -- Knoxville Locomotive Works will be establishing a new assembly and fabrication plant in Innovation Valley to satisfy new EPA emission requirements for trains. The announcement represents an investment of $6.1 million and will create 203 new jobs over the next three years in Knoxville.
“Innovation Valley was recently ranked No. 1 in green job growth in the nation by the Brookings Institution,” said Doug Lawyer, vice president of economic development for the Knoxville Chamber. “KLW’s expansion adds to that story.”
To support the launch of its new value-added assembly and fabrication plant, KLW will purchase eight acres and two buildings adjacent to its 300 West Quincy Ave. shop, located north of downtown Knoxville. In addition, the company plans to renovate its current facility by extending the assembly line, and installing indoor railroad tracks and new overhead cranes to support its fabrication, heavy equipment and parts assembly process.
“KLW is making the first locomotives built in Tennessee,” KLW Chairman Pete Claussen said. “Our competitively priced engines are environmentally advanced, fuel efficient, high productivity machines that use advanced diesel engine technology. We hope and anticipate that they will become well-established in the marketplace.”
Owned and operated by Class III railroad system owner Pete Claussen, KLW is a vertically integrated manufacturing complex, which overhauls and rebuilds Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) locomotives and manufactures the KLW product line of low emissions/high efficiency locomotives.
"I am very happy that KLW has decided to expand their operations in the heart of the city of Knoxville, and thankful for the high-paying jobs they will be creating,” Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero said. “They will be producing a product that will be beneficial to the environment, which will add to the sustainability successes of our region.”
"The KLW expansion highlights our central location and quality workforce for technical production projects,” Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett said. “I'm very grateful that their new high-technology clean diesel locomotives will be produced in Knox County.”
Recent EPA mandates require all termed-out locomotives be replaced by new engines to meet updated emissions standards. In response to the requirements, KLW designed and engineered a patented gear box and materials process to assemble rebuilt locomotives using new and used parts that exceed EPA standards. KLW will assemble and sell both kits and rebuilt locomotives to its domestic and international customers.
KLW will begin accepting applications in January 2014. Interested applicants can send their resumes to KLW General Manager Tom German at P.O. Box 2408, Knoxville, TN 37901-2408.
About Innovation Valley
Innovation Valley is the regional economic development initiative with world-class resources in science, technology, and business managed by the Knoxville Chamber. Experience shows that a regional approach to economic development offers the most advantages to businesses planning a corporate relocation or expansion and the communities involved.
Jenny Woodbery, Innovation Valley, http://www.knoxvilleoakridge.com, +1 (865) 246-2603, [email protected]
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