Williams-Sonoma, Inc.'s Expanding12/06/2018
Sutter Street Manufacturing Creating 350 Jobs
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.’s Sutter Street Manufacturing Expanding Furniture Manufacturing Operations to Lee County, Miss., Creating 350 Jobs
Tupelo, Miss. (Dec. 6, 2018) – Sutter Street Manufacturing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of specialty home furnishings retailer Williams-Sonoma, Inc., is expanding its upholstered furniture manufacturing operations by opening a facility in Baldwyn, Miss., in Lee County. The project will result in the creation of 350 jobs over five years.
“Furniture manufacturing is an important economic driver in North Mississippi, and Williams-Sonoma’s decision to open a new Sutter Street Manufacturing facility in Lee County – along with 350 new jobs – bolsters this important sector in our state,” Gov. Phil Bryant said. “I know the region’s skilled workforce will ensure the company finds success in Lee County just as it has at its distribution facility in DeSoto County.”
Sutter Street Manufacturing is opening in an existing facility in the Harry A. Martin North Lee Industrial Complex in Lee County. There, employees will produce handcrafted upholstered furniture for Williams-Sonoma, Inc. brands including Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma Home.
“We’re proud to expand our Sutter Street Manufacturing operations to Lee County. Our direct-to-consumer model enables us to offer custom upholstered furniture at an exceptional value and as a result, our business has grown significantly in recent years,” said Dean Miller, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. “We’re excited to bring 350 jobs to the region and further our commitment to supporting the tradition of building handcrafted, high-quality furniture in America.”
The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance for improvements and workforce training. Lee County is providing local property tax exemptions. The Tennessee Valley Authority is assisting with the project, as well.
Started in 2007, Sutter Street Manufacturing is Williams- Sonoma, Inc.’s first wholly-owned and operated subsidiary dedicated to the craft of furniture manufacturing. The company will begin hiring workers immediately for the Lee County plant and expects to begin production in January.
“Williams-Sonoma and its brands are renowned for their premier-quality home furnishings. By locating in Lee County, 350 Mississippians will have a valuable employment opportunity to continue the company’s legacy of value through craftsmanship,” said MDA Executive Director Glenn McCullough, Jr. “We salute the teamwork of the Community Development Foundation, TVA, Lee County, Three Rivers Planning and Development District and Itawamba Community College, which along with the MDA team, was instrumental in winning this project for the people of Northeast Mississippi.”
“TVA and Tombigbee Electric Power Association congratulate Williams-Sonoma on its decision to locate on an InvestPrep™ site and create hundreds of new job opportunities in Lee County,” said TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley. “Helping to attract new jobs and investment is fundamental to TVA’s mission of service, and we are proud to partner with Community Development Foundation, Mississippi Development Authority, Lee County and local officials to help further that mission. It’s always an exciting day when we can celebrate a community’s commitment to investing in itself and a company’s investment in the community.”
“We thank Williams-Sonoma for its trust in this community and its trust in our workforce. We are honored and excited to embark in this partnership,” said Lee County Board of Supervisors President Mike Smith. “On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, we pledge our full support in the continued growth of this world-class company.”
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, and our vast network of active members, the Community Development Foundation is very excited to welcome Williams-Sonoma to Lee County,” said CDF Chairman Jerry Maxcy. “The addition of the world-renowned Williams Sonoma brand to our existing network of star companies, highlights how incredible things can happen when teams partner together to help each other succeed. Thank you, Williams-Sonoma, for your investment in our community, your recognition of the outstanding workforce in this region, and for the trust you have shown in selecting Lee County for your new manufacturing facility.
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About Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is a specialty retailer of high-quality products for the home. These products, representing distinct merchandise strategies — Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, West Elm, PBteen, Williams Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, and Mark and Graham — are marketed through e-commerce websites, direct-mail catalogs and retail stores. These brands are also part of The Key Rewards, our free-to-join loyalty program that offers members exclusive benefits across the Williams-Sonoma family of brands. We operate in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, offer international shipping to customers worldwide, and have unaffiliated franchisees that operate stores in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico and South Korea, as well as e-commerce websites in certain locations. In 2017, we acquired Outward, Inc., a 3-D imaging and augmented reality platform for the home furnishings and décor industry.
About Mississippi Development Authority
Mississippi Development Authority is the state’s lead economic and community development agency. MDA focuses on new business recruitment, existing business expansion, workforce training, and tourism promotion. For more information, visit MDA’s website at www.mississippi.org.
About the Community Development Foundation
Founded in 1948, the Community Development Foundation (CDF) is the exclusive agency charged with providing chamber of commerce, economic development, and planning and property management services for Tupelo/Lee County, Mississippi. CDF is a nonprofit membership organization composed of civic, business, and professional leaders representing the region. CDF has been selected eight times as one of the top 10 industrial development agencies in the nation by Site Selection magazine, a leading trade magazine for industrial development consultants.
POSTED: 12.06.2018
