Mahindra USA has announced the grand opening of Southeast Mahindra, a dedicated Mahindra Authorized Distribution Center (MADC) in Chattanooga, Tenn. A grand opening ceremony took place on Tuesday, June 24th at the new distribution center.

This new assembly and distribution facility serves the growing Mahindra dealer network and customer base in the Midwest and Southeast regions. It includes a regional product sales and service training center. This MADC accommodates the increased production demands generated by the expansion of the Mahindra tractor line in North America.

Southeast Mahindra is a joint project between long-time Mahindra dealer Chattanooga Tractor & Equipment, Inc. and Mahindra USA. Chattanooga Tractor, owned by Randy S. Topping, became a Mahindra dealer in 2006 and expanded its relationship with the manufacturer as a Mahindra Authorized Distribution Center in 2009. Topping will serve as president of Southeast Mahindra as well.

"Randy has made a significant commitment to Mahindra’s expansion by investing $3.5 million to build this new facility,” said Mani Iyer, President of Mahindra USA. "We value our partnership with Chattanooga Tractor and Equipment, Inc. and appreciate the loyalty, dedication and certainty in Mahindra this investment represents.”

“We recognize the importance of our relationship with partners such as Randy to the continued growth of the Mahindra brand. This distribution and training facility will greatly enhance our ability to efficiently serve our dealers’ needs,” said Cleo Franklin, Mahindra USA’s Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Planning. “The confidence of our dealer network in the value delivered by the Mahindra tractor line, is the reason Mahindra was able to achieve its goal to be the fastest growing tractor brand in North America.”

The new Mahindra Authorized Distribution Center sits on 10.2 acres inside Centre South (River Port) Industrial Park and encompasses over 46,000 square feet of warehouse with eight shipping docks, five overhead crane systems for production and includes the nation's fastest fiber optic internet. It also employs the latest testing and quality assurance technology in the training center. This county owned and managed industrial park is located near downtown Chattanooga along the banks of the Tennessee River. Chattanooga, which is ideally situated for distribution throughout the Southern, Eastern and Midwestern United States, enjoys a long history as a primary rail and trucking transportation hub.

This project has received praise from City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County and the State of Tennessee for its positive impact on current and future job growth in the community. Green construction practices are being utilized to control the environmental impact of its development and the project will serve as a model for green construction in the community.

The grand opening was be marked by an inauguration ceremony attended by senior Mahindra Board Members, civic leaders and officials from the city, county and state governments.