DESA, LLC Announces Additional Manufacturing Operations to Move to Bowling Green Headquarters

BOWLING GREEN, KY-DESA, LLC announced its plans to bring more than 100 new jobs to its Bowling Green headquarters yesterday. These new jobs will come from the planned move of DESA's Power Tools Division manufacturing and distribution operations from Manchester, Tenn., to Bowling Green.

The consolidation and additional jobs in Bowling Green will provide additional manufacturing capacity to produce the new Remington Power Mower and support the continued growth of the Power Tools Division. DESA expects to add 100 new jobs to the Bowling Green headquarters over the next several months, along with additional jobs as new products from the Power Tools line are introduced into the marketplace in the coming years.

DESA, LLC is a manufacturer and marketer of electric lawn and garden tools and heating products. DESA's corporate office is located in Bowling Green, Ky., which is also home to the Retail Heating Division, the Power Tools Division and distribution. Other divisions include the Professional Heating Division and the International Division. DESA's products are marketed under the following brand names: Remington, Master, Vanguard, Reddy Heater, Comfort Glow, Design Dynamics, Outdoor Leisure, FMI and Glo Warm. The company's channels of distribution include home centers, distributors, contractors, mass merchants and hardware cooperatives.

The decision to consolidate existing manufacturing operations from Manchester to Bowling Green did not come easily to DESA; however, the company based its decision on the availability of several Lean process improvements at the Bowling Green headquarters, which will allow it to maintain a competitive edge in the power tools market.

"While this is an extremely difficult decision for everyone involved, it was required to provide the manufacturing capabilities to sustain our future growth" said Lance Servais, President, Power Tools Division. "Our headquarters in Bowling Green is growing substantially this year because of our primary goal, which is to remain the leader in the marketplace for electric lawn and garden tools and heating products."

This announcement follows DESA's July announcement that many jobs would be brought to Bowling Green because of the closure of the company's manufacturing production in China. Overall, DESA's expansions of its headquarters here have resulted in hundreds of jobs created in the last six months of 2008.

"With this announcement, DESA continues to demonstrate its commitment to quality and its support of the workforce in South Central Kentucky. They are demonstrating their intense focus on efficient and effective production, which benefits our citizens through the company's economic investment and announced jobs," said Warren County Judge Executive Michael Buchanon. "While the consolidation process is a very difficult one, the South Central Kentucky region is grateful that DESA remains committed to employing our workforce."

"We're always excited to hear that one of our employers is expanding their operations here in Bowling Green. DESA is making a strong statement about our workforce because of their latest announcement that they will expand local production past their Retail Heating Division, Power Tools Division and distribution. We're proud to be have such a strong company in our midst," said Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker.

"We at the Chamber focus our economic developments on not just bringing new industries to our region, but also on helping existing industries expand their divisions here. We're proud that DESA has shown such faith in our workforce in the last several months, and we look forward to assisting them in meeting their needs to maintain their competitive edge in the marketplace," said Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman Doug Gorman.

Any inquiries regarding this announcement should be directed to Charles Schaut, Corporate Vice President Human Resources at 270-781-9600.

Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. As one of only 336 chambers nationwide to be accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.