The Economy

Consumer Products Company to Locate Distribution Operations in Mississippi

May 17, 2010

Finlands oldest company will occupy the facility in September.

Fiskars, a Helsinki, Finland-based supplier of consumer products for the home, garden and outdoors, announced that it is combining warehouse and distribution operations for its Garden and School, Office & Craft divisions into an existing 260,000-square-foot facility in Southaven, Miss.

Operations at the new facility primarily will be distribution-related but will include some light assembly, according to the Mississippi Development Authority.

Fiskars will occupy the facility in September and will transition operations at its existing locations in Sauk City, Wis., and Wausau, Wis., to Southaven by June 2011.

The change will optimize the operational efficiencies of our growing business, said Julia Prohaska, director of marketing communications for Fiskars. The location will allow us to improve fulfillment to many of our retail trade customers who are located in the southern U.S.

The Mississippi Development Authority worked with company representatives and local officials on the project and provided assistance through the Jobs Tax Credit program. The project will create 100 new jobs, according to the agency.

Founded in 1649 in Finland, Fiskars is Finlands oldest company.

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.