Carpet Producer, Engineered Floors, Plans to Invest $450 Million and Hire Thousands In Northwest Georgia

Area Development News Desk

05/02/2013

Engineered Floors, LLC, a Dalton, Georgia-based carpet maker, will invest $450 million and create an estimated 2,000 new jobs, over the next five years in northwest Georgia. The company will construct new facilities in Whitfield and Murray counties.

Engineered Floors will construct manufacturing and distribution facilities in Whitfield County, and a manufacturing facility in Murray County. Northwest Georgia is home to the company's corporate headquarters, two large manufacturing facilities, a tufting operation and a distribution center. The company currently employs 1,400 in the region.

"We are pleased that these new facilities will allow for further job creation for the area," said Robert E. Shaw, chairman and CEO of Engineered Floors, LLC. “The exemption of sales tax on energy in the manufacturing process that the legislature put in place under Gov. Deal’s leadership during the 2012 legislative session makes a significant difference to manufacturers looking to grow and succeed.”

"The story of Engineered Floors is the story of a Georgia-grown company's continued commitment to, and investment in, northwest Georgia," said Gov. Nathan Deal. "Georgia provides the business environment, workforce training and unparalleled logistics infrastructure to fuel growth for the floor-covering industry, which has been a cornerstone of the state's economy."

The Georgia Department of Economic Development partnered with Dalton-Whitfield County Joint Development Authority and Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce to manage this expansion. Carl Campbell, regional project manager at GDEcD, led the expansion project for the state. Georgia Quick Start, the nation's top-ranked workforce training program, will provide assistance to the company.

"Whitfield County continues to work diligently to support the creation of jobs in our community," said Michael Babb, Whitfield County Commission chairman. "The Board of Commissioners has collaboratively worked with the State of Georgia, its economic development team, our local Chamber team, and the Dalton-Whitfield County JDA in making Whitfield County an attractive community for businesses to locate and expand. We are excited that Engineered Floors has chosen Whitfield County as its home for its third operation.”

“This is a great day for Murray County and its citizens. We are proud that Engineered Floors is continuing to grow in our community, and we look forward to working with our community and state partners to support its success,” said Brittany D. Pittman, sole commissioner of Murray County. “The company’s decision to continue to invest in Murray County is the result of ongoing relationships and much-appreciated assistance and cooperation from several community leaders and the Murray County Industrial Development Authority.”