Austin Anthony
Operating in Hamilton County since 1991, Nichols Fleet Equipment, Inc. has grown from a one-man operation into a nationwide leader in the truck-mounted equipment industry, sending trucks assembled in Chattanooga all over the country and in some cases, abroad. Specializing in the installation of customized service bodies, cranes, air compressors, and fuel & lube equipment as well as the servicing of older equipment, Nichols Fleet Equipment has seen incredible growth over recent years.
As a result of this growth, Nichols Fleet Equipment plans to expand into 11 acres at the Centre South Riverport Industrial Park.
“We feel that the Centre South Industrial Park provides us with the ideal location for the next chapter of our business,” says Nick Nichols, Vice President of Marketing and Operations. “We have seen exponential growth over recent years, and we feel that our company will continue to expand, opening up new opportunities for our business and its current and future employees.”
The company is currently landlocked at its three-acre site on E. 31st Street.
Nichols Fleet Equipment has developed into a trusted distributor for work trucks nationwide. The company assembles and services trucks and equipment for customers in numerous industries such as heavy equipment, construction, utilities, municipalities, mining & aggregate, road building, building supply and many others.
The Nichols family has deep roots in Chattanooga, and Nichols Fleet Equipment is a business that, like the family that runs it, has grown up in Chattanooga and Hamilton County. From its humble beginnings in 1991, Nichols Fleet Equipment has grown exponentially into an industry leader and pioneering business force.
“We’re proud to send our Chattanooga-built service trucks and equipment to every corner of the United States,” Nichols says. “The growth has been phenomenal. The Centre South Industrial Park offers us an ideal location upon which to build the future of our company.
“We are encouraged by the opportunities that are out there for our company, and we have a strong desire to continue operating as a Chattanooga business.”
For more information regarding Nichols Fleet Equipment, visit their website.
Mueller Water Products
Mueller Water Products, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of products and services used in the transmission, distribution and measurement of water. The Company offers a broad product and service portfolio including engineered valves, fire hydrants, metering products and systems, leak detection and pipe condition assessment.
Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Mueller Water Products officials announced that the manufacturer will expand its operations in Chattanooga and create 96 jobs over the next three years.
“I’d like to thank Mueller Water Products for its decision to create jobs and invest further in its operations in Chattanooga,” Rolfe says. “This expansion speaks volumes to our skilled workforce, Tennessee’s favorable environment for manufacturing companies and the strong partnership among the State, Tennessee Valley Authority and local officials. I’m encouraged by the creation of nearly 100 quality jobs in Chattanooga and look forward to the continued impact Mueller Water Products will have for the citizens of Southeast Tennessee.”
Mueller Water Products will invest in its domestic manufacturing capabilities and introduce additive manufacturing technologies to its foundries. The Chattanooga facility expansion is driven by growing demand for water infrastructure products among municipalities, and will support the expected future demand as America rebuilds its aging infrastructure.
“This is an exciting time for our company and we are very pleased to bring more job opportunities to the Chattanooga community,” says Scott Hall, president and CEO of Mueller Water Products. “The expansion of our Chattanooga facility will allow us to address the growing demand for U.S. manufactured water infrastructure products while also investing in growing cities like Chattanooga.”
The company plans to begin hiring between January and March 2019. It currently employs 604 Tennesseans and has additional locations in Cleveland and Chattanooga’s Innovation District.
“Companies like Mueller Water Products are driving Chattanooga’s wage growth and low unemployment,” says Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke.
“Mueller Water Products is a longstanding company locally with a history of creating solid jobs for Hamilton County residents,” says Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger. “I congratulate the company on its latest expansion and wish it every success for the future.”
For more information regarding Mueller Water Products, visit their website.
The Greater Chattanooga Region
We’re home to more than 1 million people. Defined by a diverse economy, low costs of living and doing business, a creative culture, world’s fastest internet speeds, a deep pool of talent, abundant fresh water and low-cost, reliable utilities, the Greater Chattanooga Region has gained national and international recognition for its commitment to growing businesses. Many corporate headquarter giants call Greater Chattanooga home, including BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Erlanger Health System, Tennessee Valley Authority, Volkswagen American, McKee Foods, Unum and CHI Memorial.
Cultural diversity, unique neighborhoods, a variety of industries and a thriving creative community make Greater Chattanooga one of the nation’s best locations for relocating, expanding and startup companies.
With a premier location, a cost of doing business lower than the U.S. average and a highly educated workforce, the Greater Chattanooga Region offers a variety of competitive advantages to relocating and expanding businesses.
While traditionally known for manufacturing, today, our highly diverse economy encompasses much more.
In today’s economy, businesses can choose to grow or expand anywhere in the world.
But, more and more major companies are investing and creating jobs in the Greater Chattanooga Region because of an unbeatable economic environment, a centralized, accessible location and incredibly low tax burdens.
Nichols Fleet’s and Mueller Water Products’ investments in the Greater Chattanooga Region bolster our area’s growth trajectory and solidify our region as a prime location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.
