NASHVILLE (AP) — Officials say a ceramics company will be opening its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Tennessee, creating 180 new jobs and investing $80 million to construct a new facility in Maury County.

In a news release, Gov. Bill Haslam said Thursday that Gruppo Concorde will be opening a new 6,000-square-foot facility in Mt. Pleasant.

Gruppo Concorde produces high-end ceramic tile and has production sites in Italy, France and Russia. Its products are exported to more than 130 countries.

Construction is expected to begin this month, with plans to have the facility operational in the second half of 2016. The company will begin hiring for the new positions later this year.