From the popular ICEE frozen drink widely available in gas stations to the Bunny Bread we buy in grocery stores, whether you drive a Nissan or occasionally enjoy a Toaster Strudel, all of these products are made in our county, and purchasing them supports Murfreesboro, Smyrna and La Vergne manufacturing—and thus, local families.
While many know about some of the large international corporations that operate factories here, the Rutherford County area is also home to various smaller, locally owned operations, employing maybe a handful of people, producing their specialty items.
From firearms to fruit tea, fresh bread to flail blades, a diverse wealth of products are made in Murfreesboro.
Rutherford County has more than double the national average of manufacturing jobs per capita of cities in the United States, according to the Rutherford County Chamber Commerce. And local manufacturing is on the rise, with large companies choosing to open facilities here and entrepreneurs launching new ventures. The gross regional product (GRP) for Rutherford County has risen from $4 billion in 2011 to $7.7 billion in 2024, said Patrick Cammack, senior vice president of economic development at the Rutherford County Chamber Commerce, citing data from Lightcast.
Just some of the local manufacturing operations in Rutherford County:
Allvan
allvan.com
Since the 1960s, Allvan has been manufacturing van bodies for professional movers and curtain-side bodies and trailers for the building supply marketplace. Allvan has a full-service graphics team that designs, prints and installs anything you want to brand. Allvan has a plant in La Vergne.
___
Barrett Firearms
barrett.net
Headquartered in Murfreesboro, Barrett is a world leader in large-caliber rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilian sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the U.S. military and more than 80 other State Department-approved countries across the world, according to the company.
___
Flail-Master
flailmaster.com
This Murfreesboro-based company has been around for more than 50 years. They make flail mower blades and parts and offer various other types of replacement lawn mower blades.
___
Franklin’s Fruit Tea
franklinfruittea.com
This fruit tea that you’ll find at the grocery store is made in Rutherford County. They also have a local shop called The Drinkery, where you can enjoy a cup of sweet tea, or purchase bottles or gallons of various types of fruit tea to take home, at 348 E. Castle St. in Murfreesboro.
___
Gallagher Guitar
gallagherguitar.com
Gallagher Guitar Co. has been building guitars by hand in Middle Tennessee since 1965. The company is known for its handmade acoustic guitars. The shop recently moved to a new location and is now located at 331 N. Front St. in downtown Murfreesboro.
___
Good L Corporation
bigbasketco.com
Good L Corporation is a plastic fabrication plant located in La Vergne. They produce premium quality plastic and steel shopping carts and baskets in multiple sizes. They also color-match to the best shade to match a company’s headers and logos. They are manufactured with 100 percent recycled materials, according to Good L.
___
Gutterglove
gutterglove.com
Gutterglove makes its gutter guards in La Vergne. They can be found in almost every home improvement store and major retailer across the country.
___
The ICEE Company
icee.com
This beverage company moved its headquarters to La Vergne in 2019. Its flagship product is the ICEE, a frozen carbonated beverage available in various fruit and soda flavors. There are over 75,000 ICEE machines across America, serving over 300 million ICEE servings each year.
___
Ideal Clamp Products
idealtridon.com
Ideal Clamp was founded in 1913 and is headquartered in Smyrna. They make building materials. They are a leading global manufacturer of clamps for use in construction, automotive, aerospace and plumbing.
___
Ingram Content Group
ingramcontent.com
Ingram Is a global book distributor that provides a wide range of services to publishers, authors, booksellers and libraries. They are a central link in the supply chain—handling inventory, fulfillment and a vast network that reaches millions of customers in over 150 countries. Ingram also provides resources and tools for authors and self-publishers to manage their content, publish in multiple formats, and reach a global market. Ingram Contents Group’s headquarters is in La Vergne.
___
International Paper
internationalpaper.com
International Paper Co. operates a paper mill in Murfreesboro. The company transforms renewable resources into innovative and sustainable packaging solutions.
___
Lewis Bakeries, Inc. (Formerly Lewis Brothers Bakeries)
lewisbakeries.net
You will find Lewis Bakeries breads at local grocery stores, and some of the bread is made at a bakery in Murfreesboro. Lewis Brothers also created Bunny Bread in 1947, and it has grown into a regional brand. Some of their other products include Lewis 12 Grain Bread, Hawaiian Loaf, Honey Wheat and the Italian Loaf.
___
Mario Guitars
marioguitars.com
Mario Guitars is celebrating its 20th year in business in 2025. Mario Martin and his staff at Guitar Mill, 407 W. Lytle St., handcraft these vintage-inspired instruments in downtown Murfreesboro. Mario Guitars offers more than a dozen guitar body styles. They also offer guitar repair, handmade necks, setup, restoration, aging/relicing, customization, rerouting, and Nitrocellulose finishing services.
___
McNeilus Trucks
mcneilusgarbagetrucks.com
Located in Murfreesboro, McNeilus manufactures refuse and recycling collection vehicles, parts and technology. Their trucks include front loaders, side loaders and rear loaders. The McNeilus Volterra ZSL won the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee Competition, hosted by the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Tennessee Manufacturers Association, and the UT Center of Industrial Services. The Volterra ZSL is North America’s first fully integrated electric refuse and recycling collection vehicle. It combines zero-emissions operation, a driver-first design, ergonomic cab, outstanding visibility, and advanced safety and productivity features, according to McNeilus.
___
Nissan
nissanusa.com
One of Nissan’s largest automobile plants is in Smyrna. It is a significant economic driver in Middle Tennessee, employing thousands of people. It opened in 1983 and was the first auto assembly plant in Tennessee. The Nissan Rogue, made in Smyrna, won the 2024 Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee Competition. The Rogue features innovative elements such as its VC-Turbo engine, which was highlighted as the world’s first variable compression ratio engine.
___
Ozark River Manufacturing Co.
theportablesink.com
Ozark River’s portable sinks provide a simple solution to adding a sink without expensive plumbing additions or renovations. They are fully functional sinks for your patios, outdoor kitchens, garages, workshops, farms and barns. The sinks come ready to use—just fill the water tank. They are equipped with cold and hot water functionality.
___
Pillsbury
pillsbury.com
Pillsbury (owned by General Mills) has a large manufacturing plant in Murfreesboro that produces a variety of products including all of the nation’s Toaster Strudels, the beloved toaster pastry that comes with a small packet of icing.
___
Schwan Cosmetics USA
schwancosmetics.com
Established in 1927, Schwan Cosmetics is a global private label manufacturer of color cosmetics. Schwan operates on five continents and in 130 countries. Schwan says it is committed to developing beauty products that go beyond conventional norms, and its color cosmetics enhance self-expression rather than hide it. Schwan Cosmetics’ North American headquarters and high-tech manufacturing site is located in Murfreesboro, off of Joe B. Jackson Parkway.
___
Sinomax USA
sinomax-usa.com
Sinomax produces memory foam pillows and mattresses with a facility located in La Vergne. Sinomax USA is the first home industry company to win an Edison Award. The award recognized the innovative and eco-friendly nature of the product and its packaging.
___
Taylor Farms
taylorfarms.com
You will find Taylor Farms salad mixes and bagged vegetables in grocery store coolers. A lot of the salad blends are washed and packaged in Smyrna. The chopped salads are a convenient favorite. Taylor Farms also has recipes on its website.
___
Tennessee Tool Works LLC
tntoolworks.com
This precision machine shop located in Murfreesboro offers CNC machining, tool and die repair, wire EDM work, welding and fabrication. This is a newer company that began operations here in 2017.
___
Woods Air Movement
woodsairmovement.com
Woods Air Movement has its U.S. headquarters, research and development, manufacturing and testing facility in Murfreesboro. They make and install life-saving air ventilation systems for subways, vehicular tunnels, arenas and parking garages around the world.
___
Yoplait
yoplait.com
Right next door to the Pillsbury plant, you will find Murfreesboro’s Yoplait factory (owned by Lactalis). It is the largest yogurt factory in the nation, according to the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce.
