Alexandria Factory Expanding

Promises More Jobs

By Chris Tramel

Marq Labs has been a part of the Alexandria community for the past three years, and in that time has seen substantial growth and development. But, the Australian based company says it plans even more expansion for their American headquarters, and with it, more jobs.

Located at the old Norvell factory, Marq Labs currently operates a 44,000 square foot FDA registered facility that manufactures, packages and distributes lab-tested skin care, personal care, and sunless tanning products.

"Our facility is capable of producing small batch manufacturing or higher volume batches for a wide range of wet good forms," Operations Manager Brandon Anderson told the Smithville Review. "We make all kinds of different hand sanitizers, beauty products, and a large list of our own exclusive products made here in Alexandria, Tennessee. We make the b.tan line, the b.clean line, and also have the MineTan products."

Anderson said that since Marq Labs took over the facility, the factory has undergone a complete renovation. "If you look around it's completely different. From the flooring, ceilings, and everything, we did a complete renovation. We've replaced the plumbing, electrical, and even the air conditioning."

Along with the renovation, Anderson said that the company has invested in new machinery for the production lines, making more product in less time.

But the company isn't stopping there. Anderson said that the first phase of an expansion is already underway. "We would like to expand in three phases. We're doing 30,000 square feet to the west of the building, another 30,000 to the south, and then we would like to do a 60,000 square feet expansion after that."

According to Anderson, as the company grows, so will its need for a workforce. "When we started out, we had 11 or 12 employees. We are up to around 70 now, and we're looking to add 35 to 40 more in the next few months." It will grow from there as we add more and more. We're wanting to continue to expand."

Anderson said that Marq Labs wants to be a good neighbor to the community and wants the area to thrive as they do. "We are wanting to give back to the community. We saw what happened when the jobs went away, and we would like to see the town square come back to life. Maybe restaurants and things like that. If we can bring more into the area, we hope that it will grow. We hope that even some of our suppliers would look at Alexandria and bring their business here, where we would have an easier transition for parts."

The company's community spirit has also been shown as the Covid-19 pandemic hit the state. One of Marq Labs' line of products just happened to be hand sanitizer, which the company ramped up production as the pandemic grew. The company donated 3,200 units of hand sanitizer to the Metro Nashville Police Department.

They have also donated thousands of units to the Alexandria area, and to health clinics around the greater Nashville area. "We are grateful to our first responders, medical staff, and essential workers that are continuing to work for us, while facing uncertainties on a daily basis."

"We love this community," Anderson said. We're just always trying to improve upon it."

  Photos:

Marq1 - Alexandria resident Faye Underhill, one of the long-time employees at what is now Marq Labs.

Marq2 - The company has invested in new equipment for its American headquarters in Alexandria.

Marq3 - The company employs people from around the area and plans on hiring more in the coming months.

Marq4 - Marq Labs is already clearing the land where its first phase of expansion will be built.

Marq5 - Part of Marq Labs' warehouse that is set to only get larger.