A branch of South Korean-based Duksan Group, Duksan Electera will create 101 new jobs in Bedford County over the next five years as the company constructs a new facility at 210 Frank Martin Road.
As an electrolyte manufacturer for the electric vehicle battery industry, Duksan Electera’s expansion to Tennessee will position the company to be geographically closer to its core customer base. The Shelbyville location will be essential to Duksan Electera as the company is responsible for supplying roughly 60,000 tons of electrolytes to battery makers in the southeastern U.S.
Founded in 2021, as a subsidiary of Duksan Technopia Co., Ltd., Duksan Electera is part of the Duksan Group, a South Korean-based advanced material manufacturer. Duksan Electera supports its parent company through the manufacturing of electrolytes for the electric vehicle battery sector.
Since 2018, TNECD has supported more than 50 economic development projects in the Southern Middle Tennessee region, resulting in approximately 7,700 job commitments and $5 billion in capital investment.
"Bedford County is excited to be a part of bringing this new industry to our communities. Our collaboration with the City of Shelbyville, along with the formation of the Shelbyville-Bedford Partnership, has proven to be effective," said Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham. “The high-tech products being pioneered by Duksan Electera will mean good-paying, high-quality jobs for our citizens. Growth is a given – but what this provides is the right kind of growth, good jobs that will enhance the community.
“That’s exactly what city and county leaders envisioned when 231 North Business Park was created, and then when the Shelbyville-Bedford Partnership was created. I especially want to applaud county commissioners Don Gallagher, Sylvia Pinson, Jeff Sweeney and Greg Vick for their service on the joint city-county economic and community development study committee that led us towards this moment.
"Tax Assessor Ronda Clanton, Trustee Tonya Davis, Highway Superintendent Mark Clanton, and Bedford County Legal Counsel John T. Bobo stepped up to prove that economic development is a team sport. Their administrative assistance is greatly appreciated.
"We appreciate Duck River Electric, Shelbyville Power & Water, and Bedford County Utility District for providing utility services for this project and other growth inside Bedford County and the City of Shelbyville.
“I know it’s been a long process, but I think this announcement has been worth the wait, and it’s not the end of the process, by any means. We look forward to many more exciting things happening in Bedford County."
Duksan Electera America Inc. is apart of South Korea-based Duksan Group. It produces electrolytes which are used in batteries for electric vehicles.
The average salary for the 100 new jobs being planned by Duksan Electera will be $15,000 higher than the county’s current average salary. The jobs will also have private-pay insurance, which helps ensure the economic stability and security of our local health care facilities and practices.
QUOTES
“Companies choose to call Tennessee home because of our strong business climate and highly skilled workforce. I commend Duksan Electera for choosing to locate its first North American manufacturing facility in Bedford County and thank this company for creating opportunities for Tennesseans to thrive.” – Gov. Bill Lee“Tennessee is at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution, and its thanks to companies like Duksan Electera that this industry continues to thrive. We are proud to be the home of Duksan Electera’s first North American electrolyte manufacturing plant and believe Shelbyville’s central location in the southeastern corridor will set this company up for great success in the years to come.” – TNECD Commissioner Stuart McWhorter
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bedford County, the City of Shelbyville and all associated officials for providing Duksan Electera with this exciting opportunity as we take the first steps towards expanding our business in the United States. We have chosen the city of Shelbyville and Bedford County not only for its excellent location, but also because of the warm welcome and passion we've felt from the City of Shelbyville, Bedford County and the State of Tennessee. The electric vehicle market is a market with a bright future with an expected compound annual growth rate of 32 percent by 2030, and the demand for related materials such as electrolytes is projected to rise accordingly. With our business in this promising market, I hope that we can create a mutually beneficial environment where the community and the company can both continue to grow.” – Duksan Electera America, Inc. President Suwan Lee
“We welcome Duksan Electera to Shelbyville. Their investment in our community is the result of our elected officials combined vision. Shane Hooper and his team have worked tirelessly for over eight months to represent our community with professionalism. The cooperation from our Shelbyville city staff and city council along with the State of Tennessee and Bedford County officials were vital to successfully recruiting Duksan Electera. We expect this collaborative effort will ensure continued growth for higher wage jobs and improve the quality of life for all our citizens. We look forward to Duksan Electera as a new neighbor and pledge to assist them in their growth plans.” – Shelbyville Mayor Wallace Cartwright
“TVA and Duck River Electric Membership Corporation congratulate Duksan Electera on its decision to establish operations in Shelbyville. Helping to attract and retain jobs and investment in the region is fundamental to TVA’s mission of service. We are proud to partner with Shelbyville-Bedford Partnership, Middle Tennessee Industrial Development Association and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to further that mission and look forward to Duksan Electra’s future business success in the Valley.” – John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development
“I am very pleased these jobs are coming to Bedford County. This is a sizable investment.
I congratulate Duksan Electera and all our state and local officials who helped secure these jobs. We are looking forward to working with Duksan Electera toward a long and prosperous future.” – Sen. Shane Reeves (R-Murfreesboro)
“I am proud to welcome Duksan Electera to Shelbyville. This major investment in our community will bring more jobs to our area and further strengthen our local economy. I congratulate Duksan Electera on this exciting announcement and look forward to the company’s successful future here in Bedford County.” – Speaker Pro Tempore Pat Marsh (R-Shelbyville)
(Shelbyville-Bedford Partnership photo)
Shelbyville-Bedford Partnership board members celebrated the announcement. From left: Shane Hooper of Shelbyville-Bedford County Partnership; County Commissioner and Partnership board member Jeff Sweeney; Partnership board member Carroll O'Brien of Taylor & Mathis; Shelbyville Mayor Wallace Cartwright; Shelbyville City Council member and Partnership board member Henry Feldhaus; Beth Davis of Shelbyville-Bedford County Partnership; Partnership board member Gary Fayard; Kelly North of Shelbyville-Bedford County Partnership; Partnership board member David Coffey of Nationwide Express; and Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham.
