Volkswagen Official Meets with Local Automotive Parts Suppliers
Monday June 29, 2009
Thomas Van Loon-Behr, General Manager for Commodities Purchasing, Volkswagen...
Thomas Van Loon-Behr, General Manager for Commodities Purchasing, Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations, LLC met with local automotive parts suppliers from the 15-county region today on the campus of Pellissippi State Technical Community College to explore possible supply opportunities with their Chattanooga plant.
The East Tennessee Economic Development Agency, the Knoxville regional offices of the State of Tennessee ECD and Tennessee Valley Authority, local economic developers from the 15-county region and Pellissippi State Technical Community College hosted the meeting.
The region's proximity to the $1 billion manufacturing plant in Chattanooga is viewed by both by local automotive parts suppliers and the economic development community as an opportunity for the region.
"One of the reasons Volkswagen chose Tennessee as the location of our new production facility is the availability of qualified suppliers," said Mr. Van Loon-Behr, "We are committed to working with as many local suppliers as possible, and we welcome this opportunity to provide direction on doing business with our company."
The co-located regional partnership of East Tennessee Economic Development Agency, the State of Tennessee ECD and Tennessee Valley Authority, operates as a single point of contact to assist the economic development community in fostering economic growth throughout the 15-county region.
Allen Neel, ETEDA (L) and Thomas Van Loon-Behr (R)
For More Information Contact:
Allen Neel, President/CEO
ETEDA
865-777-3833
April Wortham, Community Relations Specialist
Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations, LLC
423-755-4980
