COMPANY NAME
TOWN/COUNTY
Lincolnton, Lincoln County
COMPANY DESCRIPTION – Who are they and what do they make?
Tenowo Inc. makes nonwoven technical fabric for automotive and industrial uses. Automotive parts include hood liners, cargo trays, under body shields, engine coverings, and other acoustical applications. New industrial uses are in constant development with customers. Current products in their general industrial portfolio are filtration materials, base material for coatings, applications for building, electrical insulation, pharmaceuticals, pouching, and various hygiene products.
COMPANY HISTORY? – How did they get started?
Tenowo GmbH, which originally specialized in woven and pocket lining materials for the apparel industry, began producing nonwovens as early as 1973. In order to be able to service the increasing demand of industry for technical textile products, the product range was expanded in 1985 to include nonwovens for technical applications and markets. Today, Technical Nonwovens and Interlinings constitute the main pillars of Tenowo GmbH. To better service the US market, Tenowo Inc. was started in 1992 under the name Hof Textiles. The name was changed to Tenowo Inc. in 2013.
WHAT HAS BEEN THEIR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
Workforce and finding new workers continues to be the biggest challenge at Tenowo.
WHERE DOES THE COMPANY TURN FOR SUPPORT?
Lincoln County Economic Development Association and their existing industry program provide local guidance and incredible support to Tenowo. The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina and other community partners: The Community College, Work First, Governments of City of Lincolnton and Lincoln County.
AT WHAT POINT DID THE COMPANY GET IN TOUCH WITH THE EDPNC?
The Existing Industry Representative for Lincoln Economic Development Association called EDPNC for assistance. Tenowo wished to reopen a One NC incentive grant that was closed out before the incentive disbursement was requested. Although Tenowo had submitted all necessary paperwork to Department of Commerce, due to the sudden illness and departure of the Company President, they neglected to actually make a check request.
HOW HAS THE EDPNC BEEN INVOLVED?
Regional Industry Manager Melanie O’Connell Underwood contacted North Carolina’s Commerce Finance Center to inquire on behalf of the company the possibility to reopen the case. Upon pulling the closed file, Commerce Finance Center found the company had been diligent in all reporting required during the processing years. All taxes had been paid, new employees were hired and properly documented, and local government matches were given. It was found that if the company made an official check request with copies of paid tax bills and the local government provided documentation of local matches disbursed they could indeed receive the incentive award.
WOULD THEY SAY THE EDPNC HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE SUCCESS OF THE COMPANY?
EDPNCs Regional Industry Managers (RIMs) serve as a primary point of contact and are accountable for providing regional economic development direction, collaboration, referral services, education/training assistance and planning support to counties and municipalities within a region and the businesses that exist there. They establish relationships with company leadership through a series of on-site visits; gather information relating to a business challenges, opportunities and barriers to growth; and, work to identify solutions to those challenges. They also facilitate business recruitment and expansion projects. With the help of the EDPNC Regional Industry Manager the One NC case was reopened and company and Commerce Finance staff were put in touch with each other. Not only has this helped the company receive the money to pay for growth, 22 new employees were hired. In an important addition, future expansions at the Lincoln County facility will receive favorable looks from corporate headquarters in Germany.
TELL US ABOUT THE GROWTH YOU’VE SEEN
Tenowo has expanded four times since 2009, and currently has 100 employees. The company has been recognized as an Industry of the Year in Lincoln County for both 2009 and 2016. Strong corporate beliefs include keeping involved in the local community and connecting with the next generation of employees by bringing in local high school students to experience first-hand advanced manufacturing. Tenowo is also a strong participant and advocate for the Apprenticeship Program.
WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE?
The Lincoln County plant has been chosen as a test facility for the launch of new products into the United States market. If the test phase is successful Lincoln County operations will have the opportunity to compete with Germany for additional production capacity of these products.