London, UK-based Fiberweb, a manufacturer of high performance, technical nonwoven fabrics, has announced a $15 million expansion at its Middle Tennessee location. Included in the expansion plan is a new 300,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center.

This follows a $12 million investment in 2010-2011 to build a state-of-the-art research and development center designed to solidify the company’s position as a leader in materials technology and a 2009-2010 investment of $25 million to construct an onsite shale-gas powered utility plant.

Fiberweb celebrated this expansion with a groundbreaking ceremony on May 17, 2013.

“This $15 million capital project strengthens Fiberweb’s position as a global leader in the development and manufacture of high-tech materials and demonstrates our commitment to doing this in Middle Tennessee,” says Gary Dies, vice president operations. “The manufacturing industry plays a vital role in the economic development of Tennessee, contributing more than 360,000 jobs to communities throughout the state. Fiberweb is proud of the part we play in the overall economic health of the communities in which we live and work.”

The two-year expansion project and the construction of new warehouse and distribution space will concentrate all operations into one location, streamlining processes and reducing the company’s carbon footprint, according to the company. Fiberweb’s operations in Old Hickory include a state-of-the-art research and development center and the manufacturing of high-performance technical fabric products, such as water filtration fabric, breathable membranes for homebuilding, geotextiles and homecare products. n