Axle’s expansion is expected to create 600 jobs. (Knoxville Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)
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Tennessee’s governor and other state officials held a groundbreaking ceremony at the Knoxville headquarters of Axle Logistics to celebrate a $37.9 million investment to expand the company’s logistics operations there and add more than 600 new jobs.
“Creating greater opportunity for Tennesseans is one of my top priorities, and I thank Axle Logistics for bringing hundreds of new jobs to the Greater Knoxville area,” Gov. Bill Lee said Nov. 28. “Our state’s economy and quality of life will increase in the years to come because of today’s announcement.”
Axle Logistics is a third-party logistics company serving transportation customers across the U.S., Canada and Mexico from its base in Knoxville and satellite office in Chattanooga. Axle Logistics ranks No. 81 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest logistics companies in North America.
Glenn Jacobs, mayor of Knox County, recalled the company’s early years after being founded just over a decade ago.
Tennessee officials including Gov. Bill Lee (fifth from left) attended the groundbreaking ceremony. (Knoxville Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)
“This is an extraordinary company and a leader in the logistics industry that started with only two people — both University of Tennessee graduates — and has grown exponentially in just seven years. Not only does our area benefit from this expansion, but it also illustrates the importance of keeping talented UT graduates here in our region,” Jacobs remarked.
To meet the company’s projected growth, Axle Logistics is building an 85,000-square-foot facility next to its existing operations on North Central Street to give it more space and the ability to hire more staff. The extra room also will provide the company with a basketball court, gym and large landscaped patio.
The plan is to triple the number of current employees to 651 people in Knox County within the next five years.
Stuart McWhorter, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, noted, “This region is equipped with a skilled workforce, the right educational assets and leaders that ensure Knoxville and Knox County prosper, which in turn will also ensure this company’s success.”
Since 2019, TNECD has supported nearly 20 economic development projects in Knox County, bringing in 1,800 new-hire commitments and $125 million in capital investment.
On Tuesday, @AxleLogistics broke ground on its new, 85,000-square-foot facility, which is adjacent to its existing headquarters in Knoxville.
This expansion will create 650+ new jobs and allow the company to meet the growth it has experienced since its founding in 2012. 👏 pic.twitter.com/FeeoMImDYD
— TNECD (@TNECD) November 29, 2023
Shawn McLeod, president of Axle Logistics, said, “I would like to thank the TNECD along with the Knoxville and Knox County mayors for their support in this exciting next step. Axle Logistics is committed to creating more jobs while doing our part to retain the country’s best and brightest right here in East Tennessee.”
Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon praised the company for “renovating and breathing new life and beauty into an abandoned car dealership that had sat vacant for decades.”
“We want to create great spaces and strengthen our neighborhoods, and Axle Logistics is doing its part on North Central Street,” Kincannon said. “Now, they’re growing so fast, they’re investing in an 85,000-square-foot new building next door. Axle Logistics is the kind of company we want in Knoxville. They’ve been recognized as a top workplace, and this expansion represents hundreds of new high-paying jobs.”
Lt. Gov. Randy McNally stated that the state’s “pro-business policies and superior workforce are key drivers for corporate decision-makers.”
Also attending the event were Doug Lawyer, vice president of Economic Development for the Knoxville Chamber.
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