A Taiwanese toothbrush manufacturer is setting up its first U.S. factory in Gallatin, bringing a $20.2 million investment and 50 initial jobs to a city that already counts more than 40 manufacturers among its employers. Acumen plans to build a 90,000-square-foot facility that will turn out toothbrushes and oral care products for American consumers as well as export markets, with production expected to start in 2027.
The project, announced by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Deputy Gov. and TNECD Commissioner Stuart McWhorter, will take shape at 241 ABC Boulevard, according to Area Development. The site itself has history: the 90,000-square-foot building was previously used by Salga Plastics, as reported by The Tennessean. Once running, the plant is expected to produce goods for U.S. consumers while also shipping products across North, Central and South America, per FOX 17.
From Taiwan to Tennessee
Acumen was founded in Taiwan in 1976 and has grown into a major player in the global oral care supply chain, according to the same FOX 17 report. The company already runs production bases in Taiwan, China and Vietnam, according to Acumen's own company website, and the Gallatin project, per the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development's announcement, will mark its first manufacturing foothold in North America after Acumen considered many locations before selecting Gallatin.
The scale of Acumen's existing operation is notable: the company's production lines have an annual capacity of roughly 500 million toothbrushes and it serves as an original equipment manufacturer for several oral care brands, according to a company release cited by Yahoo News. Acumen designs its own production equipment and molds and runs highly automated toothbrush production lines across its Asia facilities, per the TNECD announcement, positioning itself as an OEM/ODM partner to leading international oral care brands.
Jobs Now, More Planned Later
The 50 initial positions are just the starting point. The station's report notes that Acumen plans to add hundreds more jobs as operations grow, though no timeline for those additional hires has been announced. State Rep. William Slater said the project will create 50 quality jobs and strengthen manufacturing in Gallatin, while state Sen. Ferrell Haile said the $20.2 million investment reflects the workforce and business opportunities available in Sumner County, according to the TNECD announcement.
Acumen Chairman David Huang framed the Gallatin plant as central to the company's ambitions, saying in a statement that Acumen's goal is to make its Tennessee plant “the world's largest and most important manufacturing center” for toothbrushes and oral care products, per Area Development. Huang also said the $20.2 million investment reflects a long-term commitment to the U.S. market and to North, Central and South American markets, and credited meetings with Gov. Lee and the Tennessee team in Taiwan with giving Acumen confidence in the state's investment environment, according to the TNECD announcement.
A Recruiting Trip Pays Off
The Gallatin deal traces back to a strategic international recruiting trip Gov. Lee and McWhorter made to Asia in October 2025, according to FOX 17. McWhorter said foreign direct investment and international recruiting trips play a crucial role in attracting companies to the state, per the TNECD announcement. Jared Lin said Acumen's investment reflects Taiwanese businesses' confidence in Tennessee's economic potential and business environment, according to the same announcement from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
Acumen's arrival adds to a growing roster of Taiwanese companies operating in Tennessee. Nine Taiwanese companies now employ more than 1,100 Tennesseans and have invested nearly $160 million across the state, according to the TNECD announcement. Gov. Lee said he was grateful Acumen selected Tennessee as its first U.S. location and expected the new jobs to expand opportunity for residents, per the same announcement.
Workforce Pipeline and Local Partnerships
Acumen plans to collaborate with Sumner County Schools to help students train in technology and innovation skills, according to the TNECD announcement. That tracks with broader local efforts: Sumner County Schools is preparing a 60,000-square-foot innovation center in Hendersonville that will house students in dual-enrollment and career technical education programs, according to Main Street Media of Tennessee.
TVA and the Gallatin Department of Electricity congratulated Acumen on establishing its Sumner County operations, noting their partnership with the Gallatin Economic Development Agency and TNECD to support companies creating jobs and investment, according to the TNECD announcement. TNECD describes itself as Tennessee's primary agency for economic growth through job creation and community development, supporting that growth by attracting corporate investment, facilitating existing business expansion and providing community grants.
Acumen's project joins a string of recent manufacturing announcements in the region. In Maury County, Xxentria broke ground on its own first U.S. manufacturing facility in June 2025, a $45 million investment expected to create 85 jobs, according to Expansion Solutions. Closer to home, American Colors previously announced a $3.7 million investment for a Gallatin manufacturing and research facility expected to create 31 jobs, according to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
