Panel Built Expands to a Larger Etowah Facility in McMinn County

Panel Built, a manufacturing company that specializes in modular and prefabricated buildings, held a ribbon cutting for its new facility in Etowah on October 2, 2024. This firm came to McMinn County, Tennessee, three years ago but has already outgrown its original facility in Athens. The new Etowah site will allow Panel Built to implement expansion plans while developing new products.

“We have seven locations in the Southeast and love this whole area in the Appalachian Mountains,” says Mike Kiernan, President and CEO of Panel Built, “The employees on our team are key, but the local communities are great to work with as well: the local governments, vendors, suppliers, and businesses.”  

Learn more about this business and the opportunities it will bring to Etowah and McMinn County as a whole. 

The Etowah Expansion is Part of a Larger Growth Plan

Demand for modular and prefabricated buildings is on the rise. The current market size is $10.58 billion and experts estimate that the industry will grow by 7.8% between now and 2030. Panel Built has multiple plans to capitalize on this increased demand. Kiernan and his team are investing in AI technology to develop buildings while strengthening the company’s supply chain by purchasing a vendor in Nashville. Panel Built is also expanding its existing operations, both in its Blairsville, Georgia headquarters and in McMinn County.

“Modular and prefabricated buildings and structures are a fantastic option for our customers,” says Kiernan. “The designs are based on modularity, so it is usually much faster and lower cost. The overall delivery of the structures is faster due to not missing any days due to weather or site conditions…and they can be relocated as well.”

Panel Built supports companies that need their businesses built quickly. Its products are also designed to minimize waste compared to standard construction sites because any leftover materials can be used on the next project it creates. 

Panel Built will be a Major Employer in McMinn County   

This expansion is good news for McMinn County residents. Panel Built will be able to accommodate more workers in the larger Etowah facility while also scaling its production efforts. The county will grow alongside this business.

“At Panel Built, we believe that our most valuable asset is our people,” says Kiernan. “Nothing gets done without people, so we want to employ the people of McMinn County and make them part of the best team anywhere.”

Fortunately, Panel Built has a large labor pool to hire from. McMinn County businesses attract candidates from 13 counties, with people driving from 50 miles to work in the region. Many people in McMinn County already have strong manufacturing skills that they can apply to Panel Built’s processes.

“We have loved watching Panel Built grow in McMinn County these past few years,” says Lindsey Ferguson, Executive Director of the McMinn County Economic Development Agency (EDA). “The company has made a positive impact on the community and we are looking forward to seeing them thrive in Etowah.” 

Panel Built Plans to be More Than an Employer

Kiernan and his team chose McMinn County because of the communities within the region, not just the state and local business incentives. Panel Built’s expansion can bring an exciting manufacturing firm to the region and provide support to anyone who lives here.

“We look forward to becoming a part of the community,” says Kiernan. We also want to support the schools and businesses of McMinn County. Thanks for welcoming us.”

Learn How You Can Make it in McMinn

Panel Built has found a home in McMinn County, from Athens to Etowah. There are plenty of opportunities for other companies to move here and thrive in Southeast Tennessee. Learn more about our location advantages, like our close proximity to Chattanooga, Knoxville, Atlanta, and Nashville. Discover how you can get to McMinn County non-stop and then stay awhile. We can’t wait to grow with you.