By Juliana Valencia
By Randall Barnes

Posted: Nov 21, 2014 4:40 PM PST
Updated: Nov 21, 2014 4:51 PM PST

UNION CITY, TN – A community that lost a major employer is bouncing back quickly. When a Goodyear plant closed in 2011, the unemployment rate in Union City, Tennessee jumped to 18%. Now less than four years later, that number is being cut in half.

The efforts of state and local agencies helped to revitalize the area. Obion County Economic Development Director Lindsay Frilling said its thanks to businesses likes Greenfield Products expanding and new ones coming in like MIA Seating. Darius Mir, CEO of MIA Seating, or Made in America Seating, chose Union City out of 17 locations to build his plant.

Contact: Sara Dever
Cookerly Public Relations
sara@cookerly.com
404-419-9237

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Made in America Seating Secures Significant Financing for Union City Facility

Deal allows office seating manufacturer to invest in equipment and upgrade building

UNION CITY, T.N. (March 10, 2015) – Made in America (MIA) Seating Corporation, a manufacturer of ergonomic office seating, announced it has secured nearly $16 million in financing through a loan from SunTrust Bank and New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) equity from SunTrust Community Capital and National New Markets Fund. The deal represents a significant step towards the company’s goal of investing $39.5 million in its Union City, Tennessee operations. The funding allows for the purchase and installation of equipment and machinery, retrofitting its 100,000-square-foot building and adding 32,000 square feet of office space.

MIA Seating’s facility is designed as a vertically-integrated manufacturing center, utilizing state-of-the-art technology that makes domestic production more cost effective. By manufacturing in the United States, MIA will also be able to respond more quickly to customer needs and improve product quality and lead times. The company is in the process of installing equipment and has begun limited production and trial shipments. The first major shipment from the facility is expected in July 2015.

Over the next five years, MIA Seating plans to add more than 500 new jobs. In addition, by 2016 the company expects to begin construction on 200,000 square feet of additional space and install more equipment. MIA Seating is an affiliate of 9to5 Seating, which operates three manufacturing facilities and has been a leader in the office furniture industry since 1982.

About Made in America Seating

Founded in 2013, Made in America (MIA) Seating is a vertically-integrated, ergonomic office seating manufacturer. An affiliate of 9to5 Seating, MIA uses state-of-the-art technology to design high-quality, efficiently-manufactured products priced to compete with the import market. MIA Seating’s flagship manufacturing center in Union City, Tennessee positions it close to key distribution centers of its major national retail customers. For more information, visit www.9to5seating.com.

On Thursday, June 5, MIA Seating executive Darius Mir shared the following statement.

Although only a trial production run, it nevertheless enabled us to fill an urgent need of one of our customers, and made today a very exciting day for the talented workforce at MIA Seating who worked hard to reach this unforgettable milestone.

Michael Sheffield
Senior Staff writer-
Memphis Business Journal

Mar 13, 2015, 11:23am CDT
UPDATED: Mar 13, 2015, 5:39pm CDT

A planned manufacturing expansion in Union City has gotten an infusion of funding.

SunTrust Bank, SunTrust Community Capital and then National New Markets Fund is providing nearly $16 million in financing for a $39.5 million expansion being done by Made in America Seating Corporation

By Natalie Potts
By npotts@wbbjtv.com
Story Created: Oct 21, 2013 at 7:04 PM CDT
Story Updated: Oct 21, 2013 at 7:52 PM CDT
OBION COUNTY, Tenn.- Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam visited Union City, Monday to announce the creation of more than 500 new manufacturing jobs in West Tennessee.

9to5 Seating officials said they plan to move its China based manufacturing facility back to the U.S. to occupy the Union City IDB Speculative Building on Greenfield Drive in the Northwest Regional Industrial Center.