Industries
A Job Done Right.
Monroe County is home to a strong industrial base built on its strategic location and solid infrastructure. Several major boating manufacturers have chosen Monroe County because of its lake system and access to international river and barge service, as well as its skilled and experienced workforce. The automotive industry is also strong in Monroe County, where businesses produce parts for Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Subaru, Ford and others. Additional industry segments include food and agribusiness, flooring and chemicals, plastics and rubber.
MasterCraft
An iconic brand of inboard ski, wakeboard and luxury performance powerboats, MasterCraft has been leading the industry since 1968. MasterCraft handcrafts every boat from its Monroe County location and tests those boats on the county's Tellico Lake. Their Monroe County location affords them a capable regional workforce, easy access to major markets and the natural resources necessary to make the next generation of MasterCraft boats.
Carlex Glass Co.
Founded in Monroe County in 1991, Carlex is the largest producer of glass in North America. As an original equipment manufacturer of glass, Carlex provides glass products for Nissan, Subaru, Ford, Hyundai, Kia and more, sometimes as much as 30,000 pieces of glass per day. Monroe County's location along the automotive corridor and its solid infrastructure are just some of the reasons Carlex has had five large expansions since its opening.
Yamaha
Since 1958, when the first boat was made in Japan, Yamaha has been on the forefront of the boating industry. When they decided to introduce their product to the United States market, Yamaha chose a boat building facility in Vonore, Tennessee. Since opening in 1997 in Monroe County, Yamaha has had numerous expansions, totaling more than $20 million. They produce at least 28 boats per day and are able to reach the rest of the world due in part to Monroe County's strategic location among the TVA lake systems and Interstate 75, as well as its solid infrastructure.
Hydra-Sports
Hydra-Sports, also known as HCB Center Console Yachts, is a producer of luxury offshore yachts. Built in Monroe County and sent to other parts of the United States, Hydra-Sports is loved by saltwater fisherman around the world. Monroe County's access to a workforce skilled in the boating industry, its solid infrastructure and location along Interstate 75, and near international river and barge service, makes it an ideal location for Hydra-Sports manufacturing location.
Benton's Bacon
What began in 1947 as a small business of curing and selling country ham in Monroe County has grown into a culinary gem known throughout the United States. Benton's Bacon takes the time-honored tradition of slow-curing and aging the ham for 9-10 months and produces a characteristic flavor praised by locals, as well as gourmet chefs. Because of Monroe County's strategic location and solid infrastructure, they are able to keep up with the demand and produce 800,000–900,000 pounds of ham products per year for families and upscale restaurants.
