Over 1,300 new jobs are on the way once the deal is sealed between the Memphis, TN officials and Electrolux, a worldwide provider of major appliances and home care products. Bill Dries, reporter of the Memphis Daily News, revealed that the deal has been under negotiation for the past 3-4 months but the talks have been kept confidential. Dries reported that the project had to be code named to ensure its secrecy. The project is called “Project Journey.” It is said that the Electrolux plant will create 1,300 jobs at the outset of its initial operation, however, an additional 800 manufacturing jobs may be available after.

Dries explained that Electrolux is currently in search for a location to expand their operation. “The global home appliance company out of Sweden has plans to locate some of its oven-manufacturing operations [in] the Pidgeon Industrial Park area of Southwest Memphis.” Dries also disclosed that Memphis has been in a stiff competition with three other locations on closing the deal with Electrolux. “Mexico, Alabama, and another part of North Carolina were in the run for it as well.”

Dries added that the Electrolux will axe about 1,300 people at its Quebec plant to give way to the Memphis relocation project. “The plant in Quebec will be closing gradually. They could be here by 2013 is what we’ve heard.”