The Economy

Furniture Manufacturer Expanding in Mississippi

May 25, 2010

Southern Motion will build a 180,000-square-foot facility adjacent to its current site in Pontotoc.

Southern Motion Inc., a Pontotoc, Miss.-based reclining furniture manufacturer, is expanding its Mississippi operations to accommodate an increase in production.

As part of the $7 million expansion, the company will construct a new 180,000-square-foot facility adjacent to its current operation in Pontotoc, according to the Mississippi Development Authority.

The expansion will create a minimum of 200 new jobs over the next two years, with the potential to create a total of 400 new jobs over the next five years, according to the agency. Southern Motion currently employs 701 workers with facilities covering 400,000 square feet.

The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) worked closely with Southern Motion and local officials to help facilitate the expansion, according to the agency. The agency provided assistance to the county through the Development Infrastructure Program and the Rural Impact Fund Program to help with public infrastructure improvements.

The Mississippi Development Authority and Pontotoc County Board of Supervisors helped make this expansion a reality, said Guy Lipscomb, Southern Motion chairman and CEO. We appreciate the time and effort that our public officials have devoted to this project.

In early 2010, Southern Motion officials announced an expansion that added 70 new jobs and new manufacturing lines at the Pontotoc facility. MDA certified the company for the 70 jobs through the Existing Manufacturers Job Rebate Program.

In early 2009, the company launched an expansion that added 65 new jobs, new lines and new equipment. For that expansion, MDA provided work force training assistance and guidance regarding state tax incentives available to the company, according to the agency.

About the Author

Josh Cable | Former Senior Editor

Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors.

Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.

Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.

Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.

A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.