ABB Installation Products Celebrates 60 Years in McMinn County

ABB Installation Products is honoring 60 years in McMinn County, Tennessee, this month. The manufacturing plant has grown into a thriving facility with nearly 300 employees and 200 million pieces produced annually.

“Being an American manufacturer is something to be proud of,” says Shane Sparks, Athens Facility General Manager at ABB Installation Products. “We want to celebrate and thank our employees for their time and dedication.”

Not only is ABB a staple of the Athens economy, it is a national leader in manufacturing. Learn why this organization is such an asset to McMinn County and the opportunities it provides for residents. 

ABB Employees Have a Long Tenure in McMinn County

One point of pride for the ABB team is that employees at its McMinn facility have worked there for years, with some careers spanning decades. The average employee tenure is 12 years, and the longest-tenured employee has worked at ABB in McMinn County for 57 years.

“ABB established its operations here in 2012, but the manufacturing facility has been running for 60 years,” says Trish Laney, Human Resource Business Partner at ABB Installation Products. “One of our employees actually helped build the facility and then came to work here.”

The longevity of ABB means multiple generations of employees are working next to each other. Parents clock in with their adult children, cousins and siblings work together, and even grandchildren are applying for ABB once they’re ready to enter the workforce. 

ABB Invests in the Future of Its Workforce

A lot has changed in the facility since it opened in 1965, and even since ABB took over in 2012. In the past decade, the company has contributed $20 million in capital investment to create jobs, expand its operations, add new product lines, and integrate new technology that streamlines workflows.

“Manufacturing has evolved in the past 60 years,” says Sparks. “Our automation upgrades and ergonomic investments make the facility safer for employees while reducing the wear and tear on their bodies.”

These improvements come alongside employee upskilling. As the manufacturing process changes, so do the company’s workforce needs. Team members can step into more advanced roles and grow their careers. Nine out of the last 12 leadership promotions at ABB McMinn were internal, highlighting how employees eager to learn can advance from within.  

“The county continues to give us great employees, and we want to make sure that we give back to it,” says Sparks.

Currently, 20 product lines out of the 40 brands offered by ABB Installation Products are produced in Athens. In 2025, the McMinn facility produced its 12-billionth part, another milestone to celebrate along with its longevity.    

McMinn County Contributes to America’s Infrastructure

More than 90% of the products made by ABB employees in McMinn County stay in the United States. Manufacturing Steel City® metallic boxes and fittings, Carlon® ENT system, Superstrut® metal framing, Kindorf® channel system, and Ty-Duct® wiring duct, countless companies nationwide use its reliable electrical products, creating safer work and home environments for all.  

“We are part of the American infrastructure,” says Laney. “Most people don’t know they have ABB products in their communities, or that they came from McMinn County, but our employees do, and we're proud of it.”

The team at ABB is also excited about its sustainability initiatives and community involvement. The company has diverted more than 90% of its waste from the landfill, making its operations more efficient. It is actively involved in McMinn County schools, specifically Rogers Creek Elementary, creating opportunities for the next generation of residents.  

“ABB Installation Products is an incredibly valuable partner in the region,” says Lindsey Ferguson, Executive Director of the McMinn County Economic Development Agency (EDA). “They are a major employer, active community member, and significant contributor to the American economy through their products. We are thrilled to celebrate their anniversary and look forward to the next 60 years together.”  

Discover Other Leading Manufacturers in McMinn County

ABB Installation Products is in good company in McMinn County. Multiple manufacturing facilities and employers create a diverse economy. Learn more about the major employers in the region and the skillsets they help develop. Then get to know the local workforce. Your organization has a place in McMinn County and will be welcomed by hard-working, loyal, and skilled candidates. Your manufacturing future is here.