San Antonio, Texas (February 14, 2019) - VP Racing Fuels, Inc., today announced they have acquired a new property and facility in Huntingdon, Tennessee, citing a favorable atmosphere for business growth and development. With all that the location has to offer, VP feels it is ideal for their vision of the future.
“VP was founded over forty years ago in San Antonio,” said Alan Cerwick, President and CEO of VP Racing Fuels.“ As the company has continued a consistent and remarkable growth, we have acquired additional properties in Texas, plus have facilities in Indiana and Delaware. We evaluated all of these locations, ultimately hoping to expand in Texas, but unfortunately, acquiring the approvals to fully develop the Texas sites has been too challenging. On the flip side, Tennessee is clearly open for business, and their desire to attract and partner with companies wanting to grow is a perfect fit for VP.”
The local, state and economic development agencies in Tennessee were eager to help VP acquire this property and obtain all necessary permits and approvals to ensure full use of the facility. “One of our main objectives in Tennessee is to make sure our rural communities are well-represented in the world of economic development,” said Governor Bill Lee. “I want to thank VP for supporting our mission to prioritize rural areas by investing in Huntingdon and creating new jobs in West Tennessee.”
VP had acquired two additional properties in Bexar County in past years, but as of today, the company has not been able to fully use the properties for needed expansion. As a result, one of the properties is under contract for sale. The other property will be held for now, pending any future decision to expand operations in Texas or Tennessee. Likewise, the decision on the corporate headquarters expansion location will be made at a later date.
Currently, VP operates a 37-acre facility just south of San Antonio in Elmendorf, Bexar County, Texas. Blending, packaging, storage, and distribution for the company, which does business around the world, are done primarily at the Texas facility which employs nearly 100 people. The new Tennessee facility includes nearly 160,000 square feet on 57 acres and will also be used for manufacturing, packaging, warehousing, and distribution, expanding as the company grows. These plans will require VP to make considerable investments in new equipment, including packaging equipment and an expanded fuel tank farm. For that, VP has already begun additional investment in the Huntingdon area community, engaging local architects, engineers, and other contractors.
“Tennessee is located in the eastern United States and from a logistical standpoint supports VP’s rapid expansion. This location appears to provide precisely what VP needs not just to manage what we have been doing but set the foundation for the significant domestic and global growth we project for the future. Shipments to customers like Auto Zone, Tractor Supply, Walmart, Lowe’s and many others will be significantly more efficient from this facility,” Cerwick continued. “Just how much of the San Antonio plant’s production is moved to the Tennessee location is yet to be determined.”
About VP Racing Fuels
VP Racing Fuels is best known as the World Leader in Race Fuel Technology™, fueling champions in virtually every form of motorsport on land, sea, and air since 1975. VP is the Official Racing Fuel of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Blancpain GT World Challenge America, AMA Supercross, NMRA, NMCA, World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, Late Models, DIRTcar, PDRA, SCORE, Best In The Desert, ARA, and USAC among more than 60 VP-sponsored series and sanctioning bodies.
With a heritage in technology, VP has developed an extensive line of consumer products, including ethanol-free VP Small Engine Fuels, formulated for 2- and 4-cycle outdoor power equipment; VP Madditive® performance chemicals and additives; VP Hi-Performance Lubricants; VP Stay Frosty™ coolants; VP PowerWash™; VP TANK GUARDIAN for diesel application; VP’s Automotive Appearance Line; and VP PowerMaster® hobby fuels for R/C racing.
As part of a retail branding program, gas stations and convenience stores across North America are branded as VP Racing Fuels. VP's most recent diversification efforts include the launch of quick lube facilities branded VP Racing FASTLUBE™ and VP Racing POWERWASH™ car wash systems, VP products are available across the globe at auto parts, home center, and farm stores such as Auto Zone, True Value, Walmart, Tractor Supply, and Lowe’s, to name a few. VP race fuels and other products can also be found at automotive performance specialty shops worldwide. More information is available online at VPRacingFuels.com.
VP Contact: Bob Merz, 832.244.6305, or Bob.Merz@VPRacingFuels.com
Tennessee Dept. of Economic & Community Development Contact: Carly Schroer, 615.490.2995, or carly.schroer@tn.gov