TTI officially opens new test center

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Techtronic Industries Power Equipment (TTI), a global leader in the design, manufacturing and marketing of quality consumer, professional, and industrial products, officially opened its new state-of-the art Outdoor Product Test Center in Anderson County with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday (March 23).

Anderson County Council District 4 representative Tom Allen (pictured) couldn’t resist the temptation to pick up a chainsaw on display, acting as if he was going to use it for the ribbon cutting. Allen said, “I am pleased that TTI continues to grow and expand their industries in Anderson County. We take pride in the fact that our community, workforce, and business-friendly environment will enhance and sustain this new facility.”

Members of the Anderson County Legislative Delegation and Anderson County Council members were among those attending the event. Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn said, “The Outdoor Product Test Center opening continues to confirm the County’s economic growth and that our workforce is making a difference in our community and state.”

TTI Lab personnel assigned to the Outdoor Product Test Center will perform research and development testing related to TTI’s expansive lawn and garden product offerings including battery and gas powered string trimmers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, lawn mowers, pressure washers and portable power generators.
In addition, product safety, durability, and functionality testing will take place at the Outdoor Product Test Center to ensure TTI’s products meet design criteria as well as supporting research in new technologies in the outdoor products category.
The 25,000 sq. ft. building also contains emissions testing equipment that verify engines meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s and the California Air Resource Board’s requirements for air quality.

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By Stan Welch
Evidence of the growing success of Techtronic Industries power equipment (TTI) in Anderson County and across the globe is clearly visible. Most recently, the formal opening of the new outdoor product test center makes it clear that the global giant in power equipment development and production shows no signs of slowing down.
County and state officials joined company representatives at a ribbon cutting ceremony last Friday. County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn said that Anderson County will soon be known as the home of TTI. “The company’s reputation and success is known throughout the business community all over the nation,” said Dunn.
Dunn also referred to the county as one big test lab for the company’s outdoor products. “Weed eaters, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, pressure washers – these are all products that Anderson folks use on a regular basis.”
District Four Councilman Tom Allen calls the company’s presence in his district “a dream come true.” He also expounded on the impact the company’s presence has had on the county, above and beyond the wages that it pays. “When the mills were the main employers in the county, an eighth grade education wasn’t uncommon. Today, in the kind of job market that exists because of companies like TTI, an eighth grade education just doesn’t cut it anymore.”
He went on to explain the emergence of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education programs, and the changes they have wrought. “The education system has stepped it up a notch, and the needs of companies like TTI have been a catalyst for those improvements.”
TTI president Lee Sowell reported that TTI had more than sixty billion dollars in sales worldwide last year. He kiddingly attributed the various expansions and new projects the company has planned to his own shortcomings at project the needs of the company. “When we built the main facility which houses production and shipping (and which comprises almost thrity acres under roof), I thought we were set for some time. Now, we are ninety per cent full and are planning a major expansion.”
Construction is also underway for a new corporate headquarters, and a two level parking garage is in the design stage as well.