(Photo from Industrial Timber website)
- The independent furniture frame manufacturer and supplier also maintains operations in Pontotoc and Tupelo. This latest expansion in Mississippi will create 11 more jobs.
The Mississippi Development Authority announced Friday that Industrial Timber is expanding its operations in Ripley, creating 11 new jobs with an investment of over $2.6 million.
Kevin Wiley, President & CEO of Industrial Timber, said for more than 25 years, North Mississippi has been an integral part of Industrial Timber’s story, and they are proud to continue investing in the people and communities that have helped shape the company.
“As we looked at this next chapter of growth, we saw a meaningful opportunity to reinvest in Ripley – building on the workforce, relationships and manufacturing heritage already here while adding new capabilities and creating additional jobs,” Wiley said. “This expansion will also strengthen our ability to help bring more furniture production back to the United States and support the growing domestic manufacturing needs of major furniture brands. We’re excited about what this investment means for our employees, the Ripley community and the future of manufacturing in Mississippi.”
Industrial Timber plans to complete the project this fall.
Industrial Timber was founded in 1999 by Mike Ruch, who retired in 2019. The company, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the nation’s largest independent furniture frame manufacturer and supplier of custom wood-based solutions.
The company also maintains operations in Pontotoc and Tupelo.
MDA said the Mississippi expansion includes the rehabilitation of the company’s Ripley facility, the construction of a new 36,000-square-foot building, and the addition of new machinery and equipment to support the domestic manufacturing needs of major furniture brands’ bed slat production.
“Furniture manufacturing has helped shape North Mississippi’s economy for generations, with companies like Industrial Timber continuing to create jobs for hardworking Mississippians,” Governor Tate Reeves said. “With three locations in our state, the company’s latest investment speaks to the momentum of our manufacturing sector and the workforce that powers it. Reinvestment projects like this create new opportunities for workers and help keep Mississippi’s economy growing.”
The Mississippi Development Authority said the state agency is providing assistance through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive, or MFLEX, program, while Tippah County is supporting the project as well.
