Duracell investing $25M in Cleveland plant, adding 25 jobs

Duracell Manufacturing plans to invest $25 million to expand its existing battery component-making operations in Cleveland, Tennessee, and create 25 new jobs, officials said Tuesday.

Stefaan Boterberg, president of Duracell Manufacturing LLC, said the company has shipped C- and D-sized batteries across the world for decades.

“With this investment, the site adds a new important role of supporting our greater North American supply chain,” he said in a statement. “We are excited to invest in and leverage the skill sets of our current and new Duracell team members.”

The expansion will support Duracell’s LaGrange, Georgia, site by providing strategic

battery components supply and allow the company to meet and exceed its growing North American battery demand, according to the company.

The Cleveland plant

opened in 1961 and has produced batteries under the Duracell brand since 1964.

Stuart McWhorter, the Tennessee Department of Economic and

Community Development’s commissioner, said in a statement that Duracell’s 60-year commitment to Tennessee is

“a true testament to the highly skilled workforce in Bradley County.”

Cleveland Mayor Kevin Brooks said the Mouse Creek Road company makes the city “a true copper-top community,” citing in the statement Duracell’s programs to support local organizations.

Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis said in the news release that the investment and new jobs that come with it “not only underscores Duracell’s commitment to improving its production capacity, but also solidifies its partnership with our community for decades to come.”

Duracell invested $36 million and added another 60 workers to expand the Cleveland production plant in 2012. But in 2016, Duracell announced plans to close its packing plant by 2018 and cut about 140 jobs. At the time, Duracell officials said the move by the company would not affect its manufacturing operation, where nearly 150 people were employed.