Ashley Furniture invests $80 million to expand manufacturing operations in two cities in Mississippi
Ashley Furniture Industries has announced plans to expand operations in two of its existing locations in Lee County, Mississippi. The company, which manufactures home furnishings, will invest $80 million into the project, creating 500 new jobs for the surrounding area. In Verona, Ashley plans to purchase/renovate a neighboring facility and build a new plant to increase foam and mattress production. In Saltillo, Ashley will improve equipment and operations at its mattress plant. To help aid the project, the company will receive assistance through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive, or MFLEX program.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, Todd Wanek, CEO and President, Ashley, said, “We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our Verona and Saltillo operations in Mississippi. This strategic investment reinforces our commitment to growth and allows us to better serve our customers. By expanding our capabilities in Mississippi, we are creating more job opportunities and strengthening our presence in the region.”
Governor Tate Reeves added, “Ashley Furniture is already one of Mississippi’s most well-known job creators. As the world’s largest manufacturer of home furnishings, Ashley’s historic commitment to Mississippi is a major boon for our entire state. Supporting existing businesses as they grow and provide new job opportunities for Mississippi workers is a vital component of our state’s economic development vision. This fantastic project only further highlights Mississippi’s global reputation as a destination for business and manufacturing.”
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About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
Connect with Alexis on LinkedIn
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