Consultants Forum Advertise
Subscribe
Close

  • Free for qualified executives and consultants to industry

  • Receive quarterly issues of Area Development Magazine and special market report and directory issues

Subscribe Now
Renew

Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Building Products Manufacturer CertainTeed Invests $24 Million To Restart Meridian, Mississippi, Operations

06/03/2013
CertainTeed plans to invest $24 million to restart its ceiling tile manufacturing operations in Meridian, Mississippi, in the same facility it purchased in 2005, creating 110 new jobs by 2016. Once operational, the facility will produce a range of ceiling tiles and acoustical wall panels used in commercial construction applications. Production is expected to resume during the second quarter of 2014.

A building products manufacturer and subsidiary of French-based Saint-Gobain, CertainTeed ceased production at the Meridian location in 2009 in the midst of the construction market downturn. The facility, which has been idle since that time aside from a small customer service center operation, employed 120 workers when the company discontinued operations. Ceiling tiles have been manufactured in the facility since 1941 throughout various stages of ownership.

“When we idled the Meridian facility four years ago during the height of our country’s economic crisis, we weren’t sure when or if we’d ever be able to reopen this plant,” said John Crowe, President and CEO of CertainTeed Corporation. “But through gradual market recovery, solid growth in our Ceilings business and the tremendous efforts of Governor Bryant, Mayor Barry, the Mississippi Development Authority and many other state and local economic development officials, we celebrate the rebirth of this facility with the promise of quality jobs to be filled by hard working Mississippians.”

“The reopening of this facility today is great news for Meridian and the entire state of Mississippi, and I am proud CertainTeed is reinvesting in Mississippi to create jobs for the area’s workforce,” Gov. Phil Bryant said. “CertainTeed’s commitment to Mississippi is truly appreciated, and this restart of operations symbolizes a new beginning of success and prosperity.

The Mississippi Development Authority provided assistance in support of the project for modifications to the company’s facility and for infrastructure improvements. In addition, the City of Meridian and Lauderdale County provided assistance for the project, as well.

“We are proud to provide assistance to help this great company restart production at its Meridian facility and create these new jobs for the area’s workers,” MDA Executive Director Brent Christensen said. “We thank our partners at the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation, the City of Meridian and Lauderdale County who worked to make this project possible.”

Exclusive Research