Portobello Plans U.S. Plant in Tennessee
BAXTER, Tenn. – Brazilian tile manufacturer Portobello S.A. will set up shop here with its first U.S. production center by 2021.
Company officials and a host of local members of government, headed by Gov. Bill Haslam, announced plans for the new facility on Dec. 3.
Located halfway between Nashville and Knoxville, the $150 million investment will include a factory, as well as U.S. headquarters for Portobello America Inc. The operations will create 220 jobs when fully up and running.
Portobello will locate its new operations on the former Tennessee Motor Speedway site near Interstate 40 in Putnam County.
Tijucas, Brazil-based Portobello is the South American country’s largest tile manufacturer. The company serves countries on five continents and internal markets through multi-brand retailers, the Portobello Shop franchise and sales channel for engineering.
Portobello has more than 2,600 employees, responsible for the design and innovation of items that launch trends in architecture and interior design in Brazil.
“Growing and developing in the American market, incorporating the local culture, generating job opportunities and investments through an integrated business model, from production to partnership with distributors, is what guides this new challenge,” Portobello President Cesar Gomes Jr. said. “We are proud to present Portobello America.
“We believe in the strategy, the market potential and, above all, the combination of our know-how with the American team and culture.”
“Portobello’s decision to locate its new production facility and U.S. headquarters and create more than 200 in Baxter will be transformational for the community,” Haslam said. “In Tennessee, we have created a business-friendly environment that promotes growth in all of our communities across the state and I appreciate Portobello for seeing what great assets Tennessee and Putnam County have to offet.”
“I appreciate Brazil-based Portobello for selecting Tennessee as the home of its first U.S. production facility and its new U.S. headquarters,” said Bob Rolfe, state Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner. “There are 13 Brazilian companies currently located in our state, employing approximately 2,000 Tennesseans.”
“I want to thank Portobello for committing to the future of Baxter,” Baxter Mayor John Martin said. “We have been dedicated to growing our city for a long time and I’m so proud that we’re seeing the fruits of the work that we’ve put in. We look forward to a long partnership that will create tremendous economic impact for our citizens.”
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