Portobello America Chooses Tennessee For First U.S. Production Facility

The Brazil-based ceramic tile manufacturer will invest about $150 million and create 220 jobs in Baxter, TN. 

Portobello America, Inc. will invest approximately $150 million to locate its U.S. headquarters and first U.S. production facility in Baxter, TN. The ceramic tile manufacturer will create 220 jobs in Putnam County, which represents the largest announcement in Baxter during Gov. Bill Haslam’s administration.

Baxter, TN
(Photo: Portobello America, Inc.)

Portobello, headquartered in Brazil, is the largest tile manufacturer in Brazil. The company serves countries on five continents and internal markets through multi-brand retailers, the Portobello Shop franchise and sales channel for engineering. Portobello has more than 2,600 employees, responsible for the design and innovation of items that launch trends in architecture and interior design in Brazil.

“Growing and developing in the American market, incorporating the local culture, generating job opportunities and investments through an integrated business model, from production to partnership with distributors, is what guides this new challenge,” said Portobello President Cesar Gomes, Junior. “We are proud to present Portobello America. We believe in the strategy, the market potential and, above all, the combination of our know-how with the American team and culture.”

Portobello will build a new facility at the Tennessee Motor Speedway site in Putnam County. Construction on the facility is set to be complete by 2021.

“Portobello’s decision to locate its new production facility and U.S. headquarters and create more than 200 jobs in Baxter will be transformational for the community,” said Haslam. “In Tennessee, we have created a business-friendly environment that promotes growth in all of our communities across the state and I appreciate Portobello for seeing what great assets Tennessee and Putnam County have to offer. I look forward to seeing this company succeed in our state and with investments like this, Tennessee will lead in the creation of high-quality jobs.”

“I appreciate Brazil-based Portobello for selecting Tennessee as the home of its first U.S. production facility and its new U.S. headquarters,” said Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe. “Tennessee places a major emphasis on foreign direct investment and Brazilian companies have been a great investment partners in Tennessee. There are 13 Brazilian companies currently located in our state, employing approximately 2,000 Tennesseans. I thank Portobello for making this major announcement in Baxter and for creating 220 new high quality, family-wage jobs in Putnam County.”

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