Auto parts maker Denso

MARYVILLE, Tenn. (AP) ‘ Auto parts supplier Denso Corp. has held a grand opening for its fourth plant in Blount County.
The new facility in Maryville, which began operations in October 2007, employs more than 400 people. The company employs more than 3,000 in the county and plans to hire another 500.
Gov. Phil Bredesen and Tennessee Commissioner of Economic and Community Development Matt Kisber attended the ceremony Friday.
The new plant includes production lines transferred from Denso’s existing electronic products plant and will focus on body electronics like auto air conditioning control units, tire pressure monitoring systems and body control modules.
Denso, a leading supplier of advanced automotive technology, systems and components for all the world’s major automakers, operates in 32 countries and regions with more than 112,000 associates.
Hiring for positions in the new plant will continue through 2010 as production lines are added. Denso anticipates 500 additional employees by 2010.
The new plant includes production lines transferred from Denso’s existing electronic products plant and will focus entirely on body electronics: remote keyless entry, auto air conditioning control units, tire pressure monitoring systems, and body control modules.
Denso Manufacturing Tennessee, founded in 1988, produces electronic products, instrument clusters, starters and alternators.
In the Americas, Denso employs more than 17,000 people with consolidated sales totaling $6.5 billion for the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2007.