Middle Tennessee Economic Landscape Bolstered by Significant Corporate Expansions

NASHVILLE, TN – Governor Bill Lee and Deputy Governor and Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Stuart C. McWhorter, today announced a dual economic boost for Middle Tennessee, with two prominent companies unveiling substantial expansion plans. Bridgetown Natural Foods will expand its operations in Wilson County, while Medacta, a global medical device leader, will relocate its U.S. headquarters and significantly expand its manufacturing capabilities in Maury County.

Bridgetown Natural Foods to Create 237 New Jobs in Lebanon

Bridgetown Natural Foods, a leading designer and manufacturer of natural food products, is set to inject further investment into its Lebanon facility. The company will create 237 new jobs and establish a new $24.1 million food production line. This new line, which is scheduled for immediate implementation, will progressively increase production through the end of the year. Upon completion, Bridgetown’s total workforce in Tennessee will exceed 450 team members.

This latest announcement marks Bridgetown’s second significant expansion in Tennessee since establishing its first manufacturing facility outside of its Oregon headquarters in 2024. Founded in 2010, Bridgetown Natural Foods has built a reputation as an innovation and supply chain partner for high-growth natural food brands.

Dan Klock, CEO of Bridgetown Natural Foods, emphasized the company’s commitment to the local community. “At Bridgetown, we believe the communities in which we operate are important stakeholders in our business,” said Klock. “Since beginning our expansion into Tennessee in 2024, we have been warmly welcomed by the people of Lebanon and Wilson County and strongly supported by Tennessee’s economic development leaders. We are proud to deepen that commitment by creating 237 new jobs, investing in our Lebanon facility and continuing to ‘Make the Food We Want Our Families to Eat’.”

Commissioner McWhorter echoed this sentiment, highlighting the strength of Tennessee’s food and beverage industry. “Tennessee’s food and beverage industry continues to be one of our strongest economic drivers, and Bridgetown’s expansion in Wilson County is another testament to the momentum we’re seeing across the state,” McWhorter stated. “When a company chooses to grow in Tennessee for the second time in two years, it reinforces the strength of our business climate, workforce and partnerships. I’m proud to support Bridgetown’s continued investment in Wilson County and look forward to the company’s continued success.”

Medacta Establishes U.S. Headquarters and Expands Manufacturing in Maury County

Swiss-listed Medacta, a global key player specializing in innovative solutions for joint replacement, sports medicine, and spine surgery, is embarking on a major multi-stage expansion. This strategic move includes relocating its U.S. headquarters and significantly expanding its manufacturing operations in Maury County. The new development site on Jim Warren Road, conveniently located near the intersection of I-65 and Saturn Parkway, is projected to create over 200 new jobs across manufacturing, corporate operations, and other supporting roles. This substantial investment totals an estimated $85 million.

This expansion is designed to bolster Medacta’s global supply chain for medical devices and strengthen its operational footprint, further cementing Tennessee’s position as a hub for foreign direct investment. Switzerland is a crucial economic partner for Tennessee, with more than 40 Swiss companies operating in the state, accounting for over 4,000 jobs and $1.2 billion in capital investment.

Governor Lee underscored the significance of attracting and retaining world-class companies like Medacta. “Tennessee continues to compete and win on a global scale, attracting world-class companies like Medacta that choose to grow their business here,” said Governor Lee. “As the home of Medacta’s U.S. headquarters, our state is proud to support the company’s continued expansion in Middle Tennessee. These 200-plus new jobs reflect the confidence international companies have in Tennessee’s skilled workforce, strong business climate and commitment to long-term success.”

Francesco Siccardi, CEO of Medacta, articulated the company’s vision for this expansion. “Medacta’s vision and commitment is to improve the care and well-being of orthopaedic and spine surgery patients,” said Siccardi. “Our differentiated innovations, products and solution offerings are targeted to improve patient outcomes and are part of Medacta’s success in delivering above-market growth over the past years. This new development project in Spring Hill will not only assist us in our further growth strategy but will also strengthen Medacta’s U.S. footprint to enable a healthy and active lifestyle for every patient in the U.S. We are delighted to have found this great location and intend to advance the project without delay.”

These dual expansions signify a robust and growing economic environment in Middle Tennessee, promising significant job creation and further solidifying the region’s appeal for both domestic and international businesses.