April 28,
2009 - Bristol, TN -
Volkswagen Group of America had company officials at Bristol
Motor Speedway to meet with Northeast Tennessee Valley business
owners to explore possible support and supply options for their
Chattanooga plant.
The Northeast Tennessee Valley Regional Industrial
Development Association (NETVRIDA) hosted the session, which was
held at the Bruton Smith Building.
These sessions are similar to other meetings Volkswagen
is holding across Tennessee, said VW Corporation Communications
Director Jill Bratina. "We see ourselves as residents of the
entire state of Tennessee, so we want other companies to be a part
of what we are doing. Local sourcing is absolutely critical,"
said Bratina. "You think about the growing supplier base for
the automotive industry here in the Southeast. There's tremendous
opportunity for any of the vehicle components (we could use) to
come from Tennessee. One of our goals is to have 90 percent of the
vehicle we produce at our new facility to have U.S. content. The
vehicle is just one part of our construction process. We will need
other support industry, and that provides jobs and opportunity."
A company based in Manchester was awarded a $147
million contract earlier this month by VW to manufacture interior
door panels for a mid-sized sedan the company plans to build exclusively
at the Tennessee plant.
NETVRIDA Executive Director Alicia Summers said
the forum Tuesday was a great way for business owners and leaders
to find out how they can possibly become a part of a Volkswagen
success story although the plant is a few hours away.
"The goal of this event is to provide our
regional business and industry the chance to do business with Volkswagen.
They have the tools now to submit their information and perhaps
become a part of things to come," Summers said. "Volkswagen's
positive attitude toward the residents, the workforce and the state
of Tennessee provided a great opportunity for us. So we graciously
invited them to see what we have to offer."
VW Chattanooga supplier diversity official Keith
Eakins said the company is looking for contracts for industry that
would offer opportunities for minority or women-owned businesses.
Interested owners and company leaders can visit
the VW website at www.vwgroupsupply.com
to examine what services and suppliers the company needs and submit
specific information that will be reviewed for potential inclusion
in plant production and construction.
For more information on the Northeast Tennessee Valley Regional
Industrial Development Association (NETVRIDA), please visit www.netvaly.org.
