A Swedish furniture manufacturing company plans to employ up to 150 East Tennesseans in its new 95,000 square foot plant in Dandridge.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Friday morning for BJS North America Inc., where tables, headboards and other furniture products will be made for the Swedish furniture company IKEA.
The factory has been up and running for the past two months.
So far, about 30 people have been hired, with another 120 jobs still up for grabs. The company plans to fill the positions over the next three years.
“We have all sorts of jobs available, from production to painting,” said Executive Vice President Dale Dennis.
The company will hire and then train, so a lot of experience is not necessary.
Starting pay is between $8.00 to $10.00 an hour.
Those interested in employment can apply in person at 1000 Industrial Park Road in Dandridge.
Though the plan is to hire 150 employees at this point, company officials say they could hire even more in the future.
In an economy where people are losing jobs every day, Jefferson County officials say the project is a win-win for everyone.
“This is huge. It is just a great day for Jefferson County,” said Chamber of Commerce President Don Cason.
Source: WATE
