In a significant achievement for the Knoxville manufacturing ecosystem, Laborup, a rapidly growing platform for manufacturing professionals, has surpassed 10,000 active users within just three months of launching. This remarkable growth means that approximately one in five Knoxville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) manufacturing workers are now actively engaged with the platform. According to data from the Federal Reserve Economic Data (October 2024), the Knoxville MSA is home to 48,000 manufacturing professionals.
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Laborup, Simba Jonga shared with investors, advisors, and community members on Friday morning that the platform’s user base consists of individuals working in essential roles such as engineering, machining, welding, fabrication, quality control, and mechatronics.
“These are the people driving the resurgence of American manufacturing—professionals whose skills span industries as diverse as energy, automotive, aerospace, and beyond,” Jonga said.
Jonga views this milestone as a signal of a broader movement: the revitalization of America’s industrial base. This rebirth, he said, is being fueled by highly skilled workers, right here in Tennessee, rather than in “far-flung supply chains or distant factories.”
Laborup’s ability to help manufacturers hire and retain hard-to-find talent in under three weeks—compared to an industry average of two to three months—has been a key driver of its success. This efficiency, combined with reducing hiring expenses by more than 50 percent, is what sets the platform apart.
Laborup leverages advanced software and artificial intelligence (AI) to identify, assess, and qualify candidates. This ensures that every hire is a precise fit for both short-term needs and long-term success. Additionally, the company provides expert hiring support, complemented by an advisory council that includes HR and manufacturing leaders from big-name companies such as SpaceX, Nissan, and Tesla.
