<DELL>
marketwatch.newsalert.com
Dell Will Develop Site Near Nashville Airport; Company Expects to Create 1,000 Local Jobs by Year End
Business Wire - May 06, 1999 11:46
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 6, 1999--Dell Computer Corporation (Nasdaq:DELL), the State of Tennessee and the City of Nashville today announced that Dell has selected a site east of Nashville International Airport as part of an economic development agreement for the company's latest U.S. expansion.
Final approval of the agreement is dependent upon Metro Council review and completion of due diligence on the sites. Dell's growth into Middle Tennessee is expected to directly create 1,000 new jobs in the area by the end of this year, and at least 3,000 within five years.
Dell is considering a plan initially to build two facilities on a site near the airport, with an adjacent site reserved for Dell by the City of Nashville. The two sites comprise more than 700 acres. Dell's plans include an approximately 300,000-square-foot facility to manufacture certain models of the company's award-winning Dimension desktop computers and an approximately 250,000-square-foot office building to house the local base of operation, including technical support functions for the company's home and small business group.
Dell intends to fill approximately 600 manufacturing and 400 technical support positions by the end of this year and will immediately begin recruiting. Dell's Dimension systems are designed for consumer and small business customers, one of the company's fastest growing business segments.
While constructing the facilities on the Nashville campus, Dell will establish local operations in existing facilities, including up to 245,000 square feet in a building in Lebanon, Tenn., for manufacturing, and up to 50,000 square feet within a building in Nashville which will include technical support. The existing facilities will be used to house Dell employees as new facilities are built over time.
The agreement comprises property acquisition and preparation, infrastructure and transportation improvements, recruitment and training assistance, and tax considerations. For the most part, incentives reward job creation by Dell and are an investment in developing a technology sector in Middle Tennessee.
Approximately one-third of the total state and local investment is earmarked for roadway and other infrastructure support. This investment, which will enable Dell to move its components in and finished products out of Tennessee, also supports the residents and businesses of the area while encouraging additional investment in Nashville's designated "economic redevelopment zone."
Another one-third of the pledged incentives will be used for work-force training to prepare and train people in Tennessee for jobs at Dell and careers in technology.
"Dell's work with Tennessee officials this past month has confirmed the wisdom of our selection of the Nashville area for our first U.S. expansion outside Central Texas," said Kevin Rollins, Dell vice chairman. The company announced its choice of the Nashville area for the project on April 1. "We're enthused by the reception we've received from the people of Tennessee, and have been impressed by the cooperation and innovation we've seen from state and local leaders as we bring this plan to life."
Rollins said among Dell's business considerations were availability of a skilled work force, proximity to a majority of the company's Americas customers and access to rapid distribution for shipping finished computer systems.
"The home and small business-PC market is one of our industry's most competitive and one of Dell's fastest growing markets," said Rollins. "The logistical advantages of Dell's Middle Tennessee location further enhance the competitiveness of Dell's customer-focused direct business."
According to Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist, "Attracting a superior company and partner like Dell to our state is the latest in a series of major economic achievements. People across the United States and around the world increasingly recognize Tennessee as a seat of innovative, fast-growing companies in a wide range of industries, now including high technology."
"Dell's decision to locate in Middle Tennessee is a victory for the entire region, not just for our city," said Nashville Mayor Phil Bredesen. "The large number of talented people needed by Dell will come not only from Nashville, but from throughout the area."
Dell's Rollins said the vast majority of jobs created by Dell in Tennessee will be filled by local residents. The company, he said, expects to relocate only a few people from its headquarters near Austin, Texas.
Information about Dell's Nashville-area development -- including answers to questions from potential suppliers and employees -- can be obtained via the World Wide Web at www.dell.com/corporate/vision/nashville/ or through a toll-free job information line at 800/891-3650.
Ranked No. 78 among the Fortune 500 companies and No. 363 in the Fortune Global 500, Dell Computer Corporation is the world's leading direct computer systems company, based on revenues of $18.2 billion for the past four quarters. Dell designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained through its toll-free number 800/388-8542 or by accessing the Dell World Wide Web site at www.dell.com. NOTE EDITORS AND BROADCAST MEDIA:
This announcement will be Webcast via the Internet and broadcast via satellite at 10:30 a.m. CDT on May 6.
Address for the Webcast: webevents.broadcast.com
Coordinates for broadcast: KU Band SBS No. 6, transponder 5, 74 degrees west, downlink frequency 11823 megahertz horizontal, audio 6.2 and 6.8.
Dell and Dimension are registered trademarks of Dell Computer Corporation.
Fortune 500 is a registered trademark of Time Inc.
Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.
CONTACT: Dell Computer Corporation, Round Rock
Media Contacts:
Peter Scacco or Cathie Hargett, 512/728-4100
peter_scacco@dell.com
cathy_hargett@dell.com
or
Investor Contacts:
Don Collis, 512/728-8671
don_collis@dell.com
or
Robert Williams, 512/728-7570
robert_williams@dell.com
|
