Video: Hiring Now: United Furniture Industries Looking For 300 Workers For Expansion

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VERONA, Miss. (WCBI) — A Mississippi based furniture company is expanding its operations in our area. United Furniture Industries is investing millions into the former Lane Furniture Plant in Verona and they need workers for the new location.

It was the first economic announcement of 2015 for Governor Phil Bryant.

“It seems to me to be fitting that it happens in Lee County, because we are here so much,” Gov. Bryant said.

Governor Bryant , along with area economic development leaders and furniture industry veterans were on hand for the announcement that United Furniture Industries is expanding with a 2 point 75 million dollar investment in the former Lane Furniture plant in Verona. Three hundred workers will be hired.

Governor Bryant says it is proof that business friendly policies can help create  jobs that once went overseas in the furniture industry.

“That is called reshoring, everyone thought these jobs would be in China, Vietnam and other areas and the reshoring has been remarkable for us, keeping jobs here that we once thought, a few short years, would go away and never come back,” Gov. Bryant said.

The expansion will bring the company’s total employment in the state to 2,000. The former Lane Furniture plant is more than 450,000  square feet and equipment is being brought in so workers can build stationary furniture. United will also move its corporate offices to the new location.
Company officials say the decision to expand was driven by an increase in demand and production.

“Our business is extremely good. Most retailers, we just got back from the Vegas market, most of our retailers ,we sell to top 100s, most of them we spoke to out there, they are very optimistic about 2015,” said Larry George, President of United Furniture Industries..

Tupelo Furniture Market Owner VM Cleveland is excited to see new life brought to the sprawling plant.

“United has been going now for 20, 30 years and they, everywhere in the country they are a great name, and the quality and price wins everyone,” Cleveland said.

United Furniture officials say they will start with four production lines, there is room in the former Lane plant for 10 lines.

United Furniture hopes to start production February 9th. For information on how to apply for jobs there, go to www.ufijobs.com