Business Journal 201600208

BusinessJournal A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF JOURNAL PUBLISHING AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

February 2016

• Furniture industry in growth mode • More industry news inside

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THE NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI

BUSINESS JOURNAL

FEBRUARY 2016

Furniture industry stabilized, growing again

BY DENNIS SEID DAILY JOURNAL

The furniture industry in Northeast Mississippi has been able to stabilize itself following the Great Recession, and in recent years it has experienced some growth.

Last year alone, manufacturers in the region added or announced some 1,600 jobs.

According to the Franklin Furniture Institute at Mississippi State University, direct industry employment has stayed fairly level after years of steady declines.

From the first quarter of 2011 to the third quarter of 2015, the number of workers directly employed in the industry has hovered between 17,584 and 19,284.

A more recent FFI study shows the furniture industry now directly employs 22,040 people, generating $880 million in payroll with an output of $3.6 billion and $995 million of value added.

Total employment in the industry, which includes suppliers and furniture-related jobs, is more than 48,000, which equates to about 1.4 percent of total employment in the state.

“The industry has indeed stabilized,” said Bill Martin,

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BY THE NUMBERS

106 BILLION

3.6 BILLION

Projected furniture and bedding sales, in dollars

Output of goods by Mississippi workers, in dollars

880 MILLION

48,000

Annual payroll of Mississippi furniture industry workers, in dollars

Number of Mississippi workers employed in the industry

1,600

Number of furniture jobs created or announced in Northeast Mississippi last year the executive director of the Institute.

In 2000, the number of people directly employed by the industry was about 30,000.That figure fell as imports began making headway, and many companies began sourcing more supplies from overseas.

But the “Made in America” and “reshoring” movements have helped stop much of that outflow.

Furniture companies are again growing in America, and they’re also growing in Mississippi.

Take Ashley Furniture Industries, the world’s largest

furniture manufacturer.

Based in Arcadia, Wisconsin, the company proudly proclaims its plant in Ecru, Mississippi as the largest upholstered furniture plant in the world.

Since 1994, the facility has been expanded 12 times.

Last October Ashley announced the 13th expansion of the plant. The move will allow Ashley to build some 45,000 pieces of furniture a week.

Ashley is an economic engine in itself, with a annual economic impact of some $239 million in the state.

The company also supports

some 400 local suppliers.

Ashley also has a mattress plant in Verona, and combined with the Ripley and Ecru plants, Ashley employs more than 3,700 people in Northeast Mississippi.

Not to be forgotten, United Furniture Industries also is booming in the region. While it has a large presence in North Carolina, United got its start in Mississippi, where it maintains a large presence. United has more than 2,000 workers at its locations in Northeast Mississippi, which include two plants in Okolona, and facilities in Amory, Hatley, Nettleton, Vardaman, Verona and Wren.

“We added five plants in 2015, adding 2.4 million square feet of manufacturing and warehouse,” said Jay Quimby, executive vice president of sales. “That brings us to 15 plants nationwide. Our business is very good and we’re still proud to call Northeast Mississippi home.”

United has been known for its upholstered furniture, but last year expanded into case good, adding Simmons-branded bedroom, youth, casual dining, occasional tables and home entertainment pieces,” Quimby said. “We have had

ON THE COVER

Joseph Brand cuts specific shapes of padding and fabric for a piece of furniture at Affordable Furniture. Each type of furniture the company makes has a template Brand and other workers follow. Photo

by Thomas Wells. great response as all our categories ship on one truck for easy replenishment. We fully expect 2016 to be an outstanding year for growth.We have been hiring new employees since midyear heavily and still have more demand for workers in Chickasaw, Lee and Monroe county.”

The expansions of United, Ashley, H.M. Richards, American, Bauhaus, Emerald, Fusion, Southern Motion and others can be explained by the latest research from Furni-

Let Us Supply Your Home or Office mybrotherscup.com Kay Pittman / 662-491-0936

ture Today.

The industry trade publication projects combined furniture and bedding spending to top $100 billion for the second consecutive year in 2016.

Last year, sales totaled $102 billion. For this year, Furniture Today expects spending to rise 4.1 percent to $106.2 billion.

“Business is good,” said Affordable Furniture Manufacturing CEO Jim Sneed. dennis.seid@journalinc.com Twitter: @dennisseid

Mark 16:15

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Interior designers talk current, upcoming furniture design trends Working at the Design Center, she meets with designers from Memphis who bring a more contemporary and transitional style to the area. The designers, she said, aren’t afraid to use sleek, straight-lined pieces with less clutter.

She said she wants the design center to be a mini environment for designers to collaborate and select furniture and fabrics.

BY ZACK ORSBORN BUSINESS JOURNAL

TUPELO – When Renah Pettigrew, interior designer with the Tupelo Furniture Market Design Center, started her career 25 years ago, consumers were less design-conscious when it came to picking out furniture.

“People were more into coming and just buying a whole group of something that is already put together and shown on the showroom floor,” Pettigrew said.

“They would not use design services. They would just go into big-box store and just buy a room.”

With the rise of design publications and HGTV, Pettigrew has seen interior and furniture design shift.

Consumers have become more in tune with design.

“They saw that they did need someone to make their home into a haven,” she said. “They want their home to be a place that is relaxing and functional.

They want an escape.”

She spent six years in Washington, D.C., with a large design firm before bringing back her expertise to the South.

Pettigrew, also the manager of Suede Fine Furnishings, introduced designers

‘THE YOUNGER CROWD’

ZACK ORSBORN | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM

BlairHaus designer Briahna McSweeney says the color of the year in furniture design is white. BlairHaus offers a variety of white couches, white accent pieces and white accessories. to high end furniture from John Richard, Lane Venture, Drexel and Harden.

To keep up with design trends, she visits the High Point Market in North Carolina to see new and current products.

At a recent High Point

Market, the color navy blue made an appearance in several designs.

“Right now, for this area, I’m seeing more of the soft sage and lighter blues,” Pettigrew said. “It seems like we’re going with more silvers and grays rather than

the golds and reds. Navy blue is coming to us big time, but it’s not here yet.”

As far as furniture design, Pettigrew predicts that consumers will be buying pieces with straight, clean lines for the next few years as they move away from

traditional style.

Pettigrew described traditional style as a sophisticated taste with a lot of heirloom pieces that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Fine Oriental rugs add to the traditional style.

Briahna McSweeney, design consultant at BlairHaus in Tupelo, has noticed big furniture design trends shift every three to four years as consumers crave changing their spaces.

McSweeney, a newcomer in the interior design world, moved to Tupelo from Frederick, Maryland recently and noticed the difference between northern and southern styles.

“There were no curvy lines and not a ton of accessories,” she said. “It was very clean and simple. The South is still very traditional.”

Since working at BlairHaus, she’s enjoyed adapting to the southern style by adding her own TURN TO TRENDS, 18

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

FEBRUARY 2016

BUSINESS JOURNAL |

WHAT CORPORATE AMERICA IS READING

800-CEO-READ

1. “WHO GETS WHAT – AND WHY: The New Economics of Matchmaking and Market Design” by Alvin E. Roth, Eamon Dolan/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2. “AMERICA’S BANK: The Epic Struggle to Create the Federal Reserve” by Roger Lowenstein, Penguin Press 3. “LIFE IS GOOD: The Your Boldest Self to Your Book” by Bert Jacobs Biggest Challenges” by and John Jacobs, NaAmy Cuddy, Little tional Geographic SociBrown and Company ety 6. “I AM BECAUSE YOU 4. “DRIVEN TO DELIGHT: ARE: How the Spirit of Delivering World-Class Ubuntu Inspired an UnCustomer Experience likely Friendship and the Mercedes-Benz Transformed a CommuWay” by Joseph nity” by Jacob Lief and Michelli, McGraw-Hill Andrea Thompson, RoEducation dale Books 5. “PRESENCE: Bringing 7. “MASTERING LEADER-

SHIP: An Integrated Framework for Breakthrough Performance and Extraordinary Business Results” by Robert J. Anderson and William A. Adams, Wiley 8. “DATA DRIVEN: How Performance Analytics Delivers Extraordinary Sales Results” by Jenny Dearborn, Wiley 9. “SWIPED: How to Protect Yourself in a World Full of Scammers, Phishers, and Identity Thieves” by Adam Levin, PublicAffairs 10. “YES, AND: How Improvisation Reverses ‘No, But’ Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration – Lessons from the Second City” by Kelly Leonard and Tom Yorton, HarperBusiness 11. “HELLO STAY INTER-

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VIEWS, GOODBYE TALENT LOSS: A Manager’s Playbook” by Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan Evans, BerrettKoehler Publishers 12. “THE GO-GIVER: A Little Story about a Powerful Business Idea” by Bob Burg and John David Mann, Portfolio 13. “EVERYBODY MATTERS: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family” by Bob Chapman and Raj Sisodia, Portfolio 14. “MINDFUL WORK: How Meditation Is Changing Business from the Inside Out” by David Gelles, Eamon Dolan/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 15. “GO-GIVERS SELL MORE” by Bob Burg and John David Mann, Portfolio

FEBRUARY 2016

Oil plunge pinching banks The stunning plunge in oil prices recently has been a blessing for consumers, but it has wreaked havoc on global stock markets. U.S. banks have been hit especially hard.

Tumbling oil prices have sliced profits of energy companies. Big Wall Street banks have made loans to companies to finance oil production in Texas, North Dakota and elsewhere. As cash flow from oil sales trickles, some companies are straining to repay their loans.

Fallout has come fast. Bank of America said last week it boosted by $264 million the money it sets aside for possible loan losses in the OctoberDecember quarter. The decision

was driven by expectations that a growing number of energy sector borrowers won’t be able to repay their loans. JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup and Wells Fargo earlier reported similar moves.

Smaller banks that cater to energy companies are also feeling the pain.

The big banks point out that energy loans account for just a small percentage of their portfolios.

At Bank of America, for example, it’s about 2 percent. But the oil-price decline has stung. Bank stocks have lost on average around 15 percent since the start of the year, compared with about 9 percent for the broader market.

40%

Feeling the pain

The banking sector has suffered along with the drop in the price of oil during the last 6 months, with losses greater than the S&P 500 index.

Brent crude oil S&P 500 investment banking & brokerage

20

0

S&P 500 index

-20

-40

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M

A

M

J

J

Source: FactSet

With the right local team, building the future is within your reach.

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Marcy Gordon; J. Paschke • AP

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Furniture industry impacts Pontotoc’s economy, quality of life

BY ZACK ORSBORN BUSINESS JOURNAL

PONTOTOC – Amidst the sound of fabric streaming through sewing machines, Bo Robbins, president and owner of Fusion Furniture in Ecru, laughs and jokes with the seamstresses as he walks through the plant he built with his wife, Alison, from the ground up in 2009.

They wave as he passes by, some noticing his weight loss. He takes the compliments with a smile as they continue the rigorous work of sewing upholstery pieces together.

He never expected to be where he is today: a budding 40-something furniture manufacturing plant owner that started a risky business after the Great Recession.

But Robbins credits the recession for his success.

Some thought he was crazy, but he married into a family with expert knowledge in the furniture industry. He

worked with his fatherin-law at Hillcraft Furniture in New Albany.

“Quite honestly, we were too dumb to realize what we were doing, but it actually worked out to our benefit,” Robbins Robbins said.“We offered a product that nobody else had in the marketplace in a time when customers weren’t coming into stores during the recession.”

By 2011, Fusion had its footprint in the marketplace, and word began to spread. Since Fusion opened, it has enjoyed annual growth ranging from 22 percent to 44 percent.

With more than 350 workers, Fusion plans to expand. The company about to complete a 100,000 square-foot addition to be finished within the next few weeks.

One major problem concerns Robbins, however.

TURN TO PONTOTOC, 19

ZACK ORSBORN | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM

At Fusion Furniture in Ecru, Bo Robbins employs 350 workers in Pontotoc County.

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

FEBRUARY 2016

T

BUSINESS JOURNAL

FEBRUARY 2016

Positive activity abound in Corinth and Alcorn County

hese are the great days in Corinth and Alcorn County. The Crossroads has long served as an employment and retail hub for adjacent counties in Northeast Mississippi and southwest Tennessee. Corinth and Alcorn County enter 2016 riding a wave of the momentum created in part by seven job-creation projects.

The results include 320 new jobs during the past 24 months.

Existing manufacturing and business expansions from Avectus HealthCare Solutions, KeyTronicEMS (formerly Ayrshire Electronics) and Caterpillar fueled an increase in payroll of $11 million and capital investment of $59 million announced.

Alcorn County recently has recorded some of its lowest unemployment rates in a decade.

The December 2015 rate stood

GARY CHANDLER

The Crossroads has long served as an employment and retail hub for adjacent counties in Northeast Mississippi and southwest Tennessee. Corinth and Alcorn County enter 2016 riding a wave of the momentum created in part by seven job-creation projects. The results include 320 new jobs during the past 24 months.

at 6.3 percent and ranks as the ninth-owest rate among counties in Mississippi for the reporting period. In addition, Alcorn County’s December 2015 unemployment rate percentage is below the state rate of 7.2 percent.

The existing Corinth/South Alcorn Industrial Park was designated Fiber Ready by AT&T recently. Such designation

elevates awareness that AT&T has fiber facilities in place to deliver advanced services to business/manufacturing customers in the Corinth/South Alcorn Industrial Park.

A new industrial park setting with abundant rail access has been purchased. The Northeast Mississippi RailHub is comprised of more than 400 acres served by two rail lines. A

$225,000 site clearing project was just completed thanks to grant funds from the Tennessee Valley Authority, Mississippi Development Authority and local governments. A more robust $500,000 site improvement project is proposed for 2016 on the 140 acre RailHub-South site.

Corinth city government enacted tax incentive programs that have encouraged growth

and revitalization across town.

Several buildings in Corinth have been improved as a result.

A few examples include the SoCo (South Corinth) District corridor, which houses a diverse group of retail and dining establishments in downtown. Other examples include Big Boy’s Pawn and the Dodd Eye Clinic.

Corinth and Alcorn County represent a diverse mix of culture, history and industry. Serving as a gateway to The Magnolia State, Corinth and Alcorn County are proud ambassadors of Mississippi and all that our great state has to office.

We pride ourselves on innovation and progress and seek to advance and excel in areas of industry, commerce and culture.

GARY CHANDLER is president of The Alliance of Corinth and Alcorn County.

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NEW YEAR NEW CAREER

& NEW BENEFITS

benefits package is the best I have seen “ soThefarnewas Ashley to price and coverage.

“

-Anonymous Ashley Employee

Positions available include:

Manufacturing Laborer

Ripley, Ecru and Verona locations

Distribution Center Laborer 1st, 2nd & weekend shifts

1st and 2nd shifts

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

FEBRUARY 2016

BUSINESS JOURNAL

FEBRUARY 2016

How furniture is made

Affordable Furniture explains manufacturing process

BY ZACK ORSBORN BUSINESS JOURNAL

HOULKA – Affordable Furniture’s first production started in November 2004. The company started out with only one line, and 11 years later, the furniture manufacturer in Houlka has seven lines and 300 employees.

Jim Sneed, the company’s CEO, joined the furniture industry more than 30 years ago. He tweaked his manufacturing process over the years to make quality furniture as quick as possible.

“We brought down all experienced management, and we employed people I’ve been working with for 30 years,” Sneed said.

“The biggest thing to getting started up was getting the plant laid out and sewing machines laid out.”

Once they pushed the button, Affordable Furniture was manufacturing furniture within a week.

“It was a real seamless transition,” he said.

Randy Gray, quality manager, took the Daily Journal on a tour of the manufacturing plant to explain the seamless process of building furniture. zack.orsborn@journalinc.com Twitter: @thedaily_zack

STEP 1

STEP 2

THOMAS WELLS | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM

Scottie Conley, left, and Odell Covington begin the process of building furniture by making the frame for a loveseat.

FRAME

Affordable Furniture gets its pre-cut wood from a couple of different wood suppliers like Arrowhead. Around 20 frame workers assemble the pieces together in the framing department. They make 140 frames a day with more than 14 styles. Depending on the person, it’s a process to learn the style and what goes into each style.

THOMAS WELLS | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM

Joseph Brand uses a cutter to cut out specific shapes of padding and fabric, using a template for each different type of furniture.

CUTTING

The cutting department stays three to four days ahead front of the line. The base fabric is cut based off pre-cut patterns. They’ll place it on the cart, and the pieces go straight out into the sewing department.

STEP 3 SEWING

Addie Jennings begins to sew the various sections of cut fabric together to form the arms, seat covers and other sections that will be used to finish the furniture.

Nearly 50 seamstresses work in the sewing department.

The sewing department knows by the schedule and cut to find their work. They’ll begin the sewing process. Some of them prep, and some of them sew on the zippers and the rails. They are usually two days ahead of the line.

‘It’s a lot of work. Once we come out of the cutting room, we go to the prep department where we piece the pieces together. We then sew the fabric for the arms the back which makes the whole sofa. It takes about five minutes to sew a piece together after the prep work is done. We do 1,090 pieces in the sewing department a day.’

Seamstress Scottie Buchanan

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STEP 4 FILLING

Workers from the filling department start picking up their work that’s on the carts. The arms and cushions are filled with fiber from the fiber-blowing machine. Fiber is blown into the inside back of the furniture. They stay a day ahead of the line. Another machine compresses foam cushions while a worker slips the sewed cushion cover over it. Near the filling station, Ruthie Conley, a seamstress for 11 years, sews throw pillows, sometimes almost 1,500 pillows a day.

PAGE 9

STEP 5 ON THE LINE

Each person on the line has a specific job. The inside back man will pull in all his buggies for the next day. That’ll be his job to place them onto the frames. The linemen wield staple guns. The beginning lineman, or the lead man, inserts springs rapidly into a piece of furniture. Another lineman pads the frame. The next lineman staples the arm fabric and padding onto the piece of furniture. Then a lineman staples the inside back to the piece of furniture. Next is the inside back man, followed by the fifth man who does the outside back and outside arms, and then the trim out guy cleans it all up. There’s a particular style for each line, with sevent different styles. All the lines run the same process.

There are six upholsterers on the line and there are seven lines. A bagger bags the piece of furniture and packages the furniture per line. Normally, there are about two rollers per line that transport the furniture into the warehouse. Four supervisors have two lines each. They have two inspectors per seven lines. An inspection can take about a minute. They go over every aspect of the furniture. From there, the furniture is placed on trucks and shipped to vendors.

Tina Shelton uses a foam blower to fill pillows and seat backs full of foam before they are attached to the sofa.

Joshua Hurst starts the furniture build by attaching padding to the arms and back of the bare frame.

Bruce Smith gets a foam cushion that he places into a machine to compress the material before it is inserted into seat covers.

Hector Cornejo attaches the fabric to finish the sofa before it is packaged and stored for shipping.

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

FEBRUARY 2016

New CDF Members Bim Bam Burgers & Wings Mr. Tony Barragan 312 S Gloster St. Tupelo, MS 38801 (662) 269-2888 www.bimbamburgers.com Restaurants & Catering Cheers Wine & Spirits Mr. Kamal Patel 775 E Main St. Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 260-4801 Liquor & Wine Clark Gas Co., Inc. Mr. Dick Smith 4562 W Main St. Tupelo, MS 38801 (256) 768-0072 www.clarkgasco.com Manufacturers & Distributors Dyson Insurance Agency, Inc. – Allstate Mr. Andy Dyson 704 Hillcrest Dr., Ste. B Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 269-2117 www.allstate.com Insurance Gigi’s Cupcakes Ms. Anna Robinson 3982 N Gloster St., Ste. S Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 269-3630 www.gigiscupcakesusa.com Bakeries Keith Henley – Tommy Morgan, Inc. Realtors Mr. Keith Henley 210 E Main St. Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 842-3844 www.tmhomes.com Real Estate, Appraisers, & Property Development

BUSINESS JOURNAL

FEBRUARY 2016

Tupelo named 8th least expensive urban area by Cost of Living Index Beginning with the fourth quarter of 2007, C2ER has annually published an unweighted average of prices accumulated from the previous three quarters. The data presented represent average prices submitted for the first three quarters of 2015.

Among the 273 urban areas that participated in the 2015 Cost of Living Index, the after-tax cost for a professional/managerial standard of living ranged from more than twice the national average in New York (Manhattan), New York, to more than 20 percent below the national average in McAllen, Texas. The Cost of Living Index is published quarterly

by C2ER – The Council for Community and Economic Research.

MOST EXPENSIVE New York (Manhattan) 227.4

TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI 84.2

LEAST EXPENSIVE McAllen, Texas 78.3

The Cost of Living Index measures regional differences in the cost of consumer goods and services, excluding taxes and non-consumer expenditures, for professional and managerial households in the top income quintile. It is based on more than 50,000 prices covering almost 60 different items for which prices are collected three times a year by chambers of commerce, economic development organizations or university applied economic centers in each participating urban area. Small differences in the index numbers should not be interpreted as significant. The composite index is based on six components – housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, health care and miscellaneous goods and services.

CDF AMBASSADOR OF THE MONTH

Veleka Flagg, senior branch operations specialist with CB&S Bank, was awarded CDF's December Ambassador of the month. Serving her third term as Ambassador, Veleka attended four ribbon cuttings and events and contacted 24 CDF members through the member to mentor program. Congratulations, Veleka!

The 10 Most and Least Expensive Urban Areas in the Cost of Living Index Year-end review of three quarters in 2015. National average for 273 urban areas = 100.

MOST EXPENSIVE 1. New York (Manhattan) 227.4 2. Honolulu, Hawaii 188.2 3. San Francisco, Calif. 176.4 4. New York (Brooklyn) 173.2 5. Hilo, Hawaii 149.0 6. Orange County, Calif. 148.6 7. Okland, Calif.

147.0 8. Stamford, Conn.

146.9 9. Washinton-Arlington- 146.8 Alexandria DC, Virginia 10. San Diego, Calif.

144.8 LEAST EXPENSIVE 1. McAllen, Texas 2. Harlingen, Texas 3. Richmond, Indiana 4. Norman, Oklahoma 5. Ashland, Ohio 6. YoungstownWarren, Ohio 7. Idaho Falls, Idaho 7. Hattiesburg, Miss.

7. Jackson, Miss.

8. Tupelo, Miss.

8. Cookeville, Tenn.

9. Memphis, Tenn.

10. Sherman-Denison, Texas

78.3 79.7 81.2 81.5 82.3 82.8 83.2 83.2 83.2 84.2 84.2 84.5 84.7

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PAGE 10

REBOUND PHYSICAL THERAPY

Rebound Physical Therapy celebrated its grand opening at 600 Air Park Rd., with a ribbon cutting. Rebound Physical Therapy provides comprehensive evaluations, skilled interventions and education with modern facilities to ensure that you have the latest strength and endurance training equipment. Its wellness programs consist of nutrition education, weight management/loss and exercise. For more information, visit reboundtupelo.com or call (662) 842-2100.

LICE CLINICS OF AMERICA

In celebration of its grand opening, Lice Clinics of America held a ribbon cutting. Located at 1733 Ste. A, McCullough Blvd. in Tupelo, Lice Clinics of America offers breakthrough technology that has been clinically proven to kill head lice and 99.2 percent of their eggs in children and adults in a one-hour treatment using carefully controlled, heated air. For more information, visit lcatupelo.com or call (662) 321-1332.

PAGE 11

LEE COUNTY LIBRARY

Lee County Library celebrated its 75th anniversary with a ribbon cutting, rededicating its local history and genealogy collection and library auditorium. Throughout 2016, the Library will present a series of events to commemorate and to celebrate the role the public library has played and continues to play in strengthening our community. For more information, visit www.li.lib.ms.us, call (662) 841-9027 or like them on Facebook.

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

FEBRUARY 2016

BUSINESS JOURNAL |

Tupelo business owner wins Healthcare Heroes Award

Doug Wright Jr.. was recently named by Mississippi Business Journal as one Mississippi’s Healthcare Heroes for 2015.

Nominees were honored for their achievements in the areas of commitment to their community and contribution to the well being of their communities.

The honorees are recognized in six categories: animal care, first responders, nurses, physicians, professional and volunteers. They are selected based on professional achievements, community involvement, being a model of professionalism to peers, discovery of new practices to save or improve lives, time and skills invested to help patients and providers.

Wright is CEO of Community Eldercare Service, a skilled and

long-term care nursing home management company with managed facilities in Mississippi and Tennessee.

MDOT asks public for help with anniversary celebration

JACKSON – On March 29, the Mississippi Department of Transportation will turn 100 years old, and the agency is asking for assistance in celebrating this milestone.

To add to this important celebration, MDOT is seeking two important pieces of information. First, MDOT is looking for the oldest living former employee. These former employees will be invited to celebration events being held later this year. Second, MDOT is seeking photographs and/or videos that show the history of transportation in Mississippi.

These photos and videos will

BRIEFING

Grammy Museum Mississippi grand opening is March 5 CLEVELAND – Grammy Museum Mississippi officially opens its doors to the public March 5. The grand opening will be celebrated with a slate of activities from March 3–6 and marks the first GrammyMuseum outside of Los Angeles.

Grand opening festivities kicks off with an evening event hosted by The Recording Academy Memphis Chapter on March 3, and culminates in an

Business Owners, don’t miss this opportunity to place your advertising message in the upcoming Spring Home, Lawn & Garden special editorial edition!

One of our reader favorites! Daily Journal readers will spend over $75 million over the next 12 months on home improvement.

Welcome the increase in your store traffic as these homeowners get ready to plant, mow, wash, trim, and paint! Contact your Journal Publishing Co. representative today to reserve your ad space.

Deadline: Friday, February 26 Publishes: Friday, March 11 842-2614 or ads@journalinc.com

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be included in the timeline showing the evolution of transportation in Mississippi.

To submit information to MDOT, please email comments@mdot.ms.gov or call (601) 359-7074. MDOT requests that all information be submitted by Feb. 15.

, 2016 d r a y k c a B The

Journal DAILY

A LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER DEDICATED TO THE SERVICE OF GOD AND MANKIND.

FEBRUARY 2016

official ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Portnow, Grammy Museum Mississippi Executive Director Emily Havens, Grammy Museum at L.A. Live Executive Director Bob Santelli, Delta State University President William N. LaForge, Cleveland Mayor Billy Nowell, Gov. Phil Bryant and others March 5.

No records, but cattle markets offer promise

STARKVILLE – Beef cattle producers are not seeing the record high prices from a year ago, but strong export numbers are providing reasons to hope 2016 will be profitable.

“Per capita consumption is predicted to be higher in 2016, beef production is expected to be up, and, most importantly, exports are projected to be significantly better than in 2015,”

said Brian Williams, agricultural economist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Williams said record prices were driven by extremely tight cattle numbers, and cow-calf profits for 2014 and part of 2015 were at record high levels.

“When the July cattle inventory report came out, indicating that replacement heifer numbers were up 7 percent from the previous year, prices began to fall and continued down until mid-December,” he said.

Beef production for 2015 was the lowest since 1993, but the herd is rapidly expanding.

Williams said the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s cattle inventory report, released Jan. 29, indicated total cattle numbers are up 3 percent from a year ago.

Business Journal reports

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PAGE 13

Tupelo hosts last true furniture market in US

I

n the late 18th century, industrial exhibitions in Europe and North America became more common, reflecting the technological dynamism of the industrial revolution. These “trade” markets were located in close proximity to the industries that gave them rise.

Tupelo and Northeast Mississippi have a history and a future that reflect this same dynamic. Unlike Detroit and Silicon Valley, however, most outside of our region do not automatically associate Mississippi with furniture – even though we rank first in shipments of upholstered furniture in the U.S. and third in all shipments of furniture. In fact, in contrast to any other state in the country known for furniture production, only Mississippi has an expanding and evolving furniture industry. And the ties between the furniture manufacturers here and their furniture market are as strong as ever.

I’ve been producing trade events for more than 20 years. I’ve produced them in New York,

Chicago, Miami, Orlando and Las Vegas, among other places.

However, until I KEVIN began SEDDON working with V.M. Cleveland at the Tupelo Furniture Market, I had never held a trade show in a city that was an actual epicenter of manufacturing activity specific to the industry for which I was holding the event. Throughout the last four years, I have had the privilege to learn the history of this region from the business owners, managers, sales managers and craftsmen that took the region from an agriculture-based economy to a leading furniture manufacturing behemoth.

To say the least, the last decade has been tumultuous for furniture manufacturers in the United States. Other countries, specifically China, have made it increasingly difficult for many U.S. furni-

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ture manufacturers to compete. The Great Recession, sparked by the U.S. subprime mortgage crises and financial crises in 2007-08, exacerbated an already difficult situation. This disastrous economic downturn forced many U.S. furniture manufacturers, suppliers and retailers to close their doors. Many brand names disappeared from the business landscape, and many of the survivors still are struggling to stabilize. With that said, Northeast Mississippi still has more than 200 furniture manufacturers and more than 500 suppliers to the industry.

With little in the way of research, I can list a dozen upholstery manufacturers that opened their doors in this region in the last 10 years – a few did so during the height of the recession. I can quickly point to six or more others that have expanded their operations.

In addition, during the same period, four bedding manufacturers have launched in the region and are doing very well.

And all of them are within a short drive of the Tu-

pelo Furniture Market.

The furniture industry is a part of the fabric of Northeast Mississippi and the Tupelo Furniture Market –which is having its 58th event Feb. 25-28 – will once again offer a venue for Mississippi manufacturers to present their outstanding products to the industry.

Thousands of furniture retailers, professional buyers and residential designers from throughout the U.S. will descend upon Tupelo as they have now for 29 years. In just the last two years, more than 200 new companies have joined the many hundreds of Tupelo’s longstanding exhibitors here.

Local hotel and restaurant owners also are preparing to host the furniture retailers that make Tupelo their second home twice each year for the market. Thousands of operators, large and small, will attend the event including top 100 retailers and large-volume buyers that have registered early. Often, as many as half of the largest volume retailers in the country regularly attend the Tupelo Furniture Market.

Visit the Tupelo Furniture Market’s new website at www.tupelofurnituremarket.com to learn more about our upcoming event. Watch the “Mississippi is where fur-

niture happens!” video (YouTube video: https://youtu.be/5ej5XC XISIY) for a quick overview of Mississippi’s leadership position in the furniture industry. However, most importantly, don’t forget to visit the furniture market later this month. Remember, the Tupelo Furniture Market and Mississippi’s furniture industry are one of a kind.

We should support and be proud that Mississippi has withstood all the economy had to throw at us and we are still her – thriving and stronger because of it.

KEVIN SEDDON is president of the Tupelo Furniture Market.

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PAGE 15

Franklin Furniture Institute expands services

he Franklin Furniture Institute at Mississippi State University has during the past 18-24 months continued to work with the Mississippi manufacturing sector to create jobs, add economic value and increase industry output.

During this time, we have also expanded our programs and services to support entrepreneurship throughout the state. We accomplished these objectives by partnering with other university outreach units and external partners to secure federal funding targeted at adding economic value and job creation. Through its collaboration efforts, MSU partners were awarded a “Rural Jobs Accelerator” three-year grant that concluded in August 2015. The outcome of this federal investment resulted in 1,090 new jobs created, 795 jobs retained and approximately $35 million in leveraged private invest-

ment.

FFI also partnered with internal and external partners to secure a “Make it in AmerBILL ica” threeMARTIN year federal investment which contiunes through September. The focus of this grant is to reshore, or prevent offshoring of Mississippi manufacturing jobs. The efforts concentrated on this grant have been highly successful and have benefited the furniture industry and its supply chain, as well as other manufacturing sectors in Mississippi. Through these federal investments, we have been able to fund 65 percent of our operations for the duration of these grants.

The Mississippi furniture industry continues to grow as evidenced by in-

creased employment and company expansion announcements. As reported in our latest newsletter, 12 companies have announced expansions since June 2014, providing more than 1,400 jobs and generating $15.35 million in capital investment. Recently, several companies have indicated their intentions to expand, which could yield an additional 500 to 700 jobs for the state. The Franklin Furniture Institute stands ready to support this industry growth and welcomes requests for assistance FFI recently commissioned an update to an economic impact study to determine the furniture industry’s value to the state’s economy. The updated study was conducted in 2015 by faculty in the Department of Forestry at Mississippi State University and used 2013 data, which was the most current data set available. Results indi-

Franklin Furniture Institute to host 2016 Manufacturing Summit MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

The Franklin Furniture Institute at Mississippi State University has hosted an annual Manufacturing Summit since 2011. Attendance has grown each year, and based on feedback from attendees, it has become one of the most anticipated events of the year for the state’s manufacturing sector.

According to Bill Martin, the Institute’s director, it is

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HOW TO ATTEND

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REGISTER ONLINE at http://www.ffi.msstate.edu/su mmit.asp or contact Amy Garrard at (662) 325-8453. becoming more difficult to top the previous year’s event.

The 2016 Manufacturing Summit is focused on changing technology that will be disruptive to man-

ufacturers. Technology moves very fast and once an innovation is triggered it can take as little as two years to peak expectations and another three to seven years to actually become a productive innovation.

The manufacturing sector needs to be aware of innovative technologies early in order to be able to embrace advances. 3D printing, Big Data and the “Internet of Things” are all TURN TO SUMMIT, 17

cated that the furniture industry employed 22,040 individuals and generated $880 million in payroll with an output of $3.6 billion and $995 million of value added.

This level of employment is similar to the March 2008 employment level.

Most analysts who track the industry are cautiously optimistic on a long-term growth trend which is supported by growth in the sector over the past 18-24 months.

This updated impact report will be published by the end of the month.

Because of the welcome growth of the furniture industry and the trend toward reshoring American

jobs, many companies have been faced with a new problem – finding a pool of qualified individuals with the sewing and upholstery skills needed to fill new positions. Some companies, in an effort to mitigate this shortage, have started training programs to fill new positions.

FFI identified a successful training program in North Carolina, a state similar to Mississippi in that it has a similar skills gap situation due to its large furniture employment. The Institute has had several discussions with the initiators of this program in order to learn how to model a similar program in our state By involving the indus-

try and stakeholders including the community college system and industry advocates, FFI plans to facilitate the development of a comprehensive program for individuals aimed at developing skills throughout the entire furniture making process.

The Franklin Furniture Institute is available to serve the industry. We do this by reaching out to help solve issues or to train and educate individuals on critical issues facing the industry. Please let us help you. Visit our website at www.ffi.msstate.edu or call us at (662)-3256787.

BILL MARTIN is director of the Franklin Furniture Institute.

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

FEBRUARY 2016

Vision is the necessity that is the mother of invention

f you go to the Henry Ford website at www.HenryFord.org, you’ll find this paragraph: “Henry Ford did not invent the automobile. He didn’t even invent the assembly line. But more than any other single individual, he was responsible for transforming the automobile from an invention of unknown utility into an innovation that profoundly shaped the 20th century and continues to affect our lives today.”

When I was a member of the Community Development Foundation and CREATE Foundation’s Community Leadership Institute, I learned things about the Northeast Mississippi furniture industry and heard more than I originally knew about

Morris Futorian. While I knew that Futorian was credited as “the Father of the Furniture Industry in Mississippi,” I did not know that TY he was also reROBINSON ferred to as “the Henry Ford of Furniture.” He didn’t invent furniture. He didn’t invent the assembly line. But, his ideas that were inspired by an automobile assembly plant in Detroit led to an industry boom that started with a plant in New Albany.

As I look at my life and my relationships, I know very few

people who have not been affected by what Futorian started.

They may not be directly involved in the furniture industry, but they are at the periphery.

One of the big names in the advertising industry is David Ogilvy. Ogilvy is credited with being “the Father of Advertising.” I get a lot of questions from my Boy Scouts who have taken courses on advertising about Ogilvy. I’m told that his tips on writing well still are being taught. His obituary from the New York Times mentioned that he “helped alter the landscape of American advertising.”

Ideas can transcend industries. Futorian borrowed ideas from an automotive assembly plant to begin a furniture plant, but it was his experiences that |

Servpro named top 10 franhise list for 2016

TUPELO – Servpro has been named to Entrepreneur’s Top 10 Franchise List again.

The cleanup and restoration franchisor kept its top ranking in the restoration services category and climbed to No. 4 ranking overall in the 2016 Franchise 500 rankings Servepro, which has an office in Tupelo, kept its hold on the top ranking in the restoration

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services industry for the 13th consecutive year. This is the seventh consecutive year Servpro has been included in the magazine’s Top 10 list.

Regions Riding Forward scholarship essays sought

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Regions Bank is accepting for the 2016 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Essay Contest. Now in its fifth year, the scholarship contest celebrates Black History

BRIEFING

and externally. These pioneers had to have people who shared in their vision to be successful.

One of the definitions that I use for “brave” in Boy Scouting is doing what you know is right while everyone else tells you that you are wrong. It is difficult to be brave.

Did Ford, Futorian, Ogilvy or Presley see where their initial vision would lead? I doubt it. A one-year vision is different from a five-year vision is different from a 10-year vision and so on.

Visions are crafted and guided.

And visions can change. But it all starts with an idea.

applicant. Essays should be 500 words or less.

Entries will be accepted through Feb. 25. Official rules and complete entry details and eligibility requirements are available on the campaign’s website, www.regions.com/ridingforward.

General Contractors of Mississippi The BuildMS Awards program recognizes excellence in construction in the following commercial construction arenas: commercial, healthcare, industrial/public works/environmental, infrastructure, institutional, renovation, interiors, site-work and landscaping,and commercial electrical.

F L. Crane & Sons won awards for Silver Slipper Casino Hotel in Bay St. Louis and Island View Casino Beach Tower in Gulfport.

TY ROBINSON is president and COO of Robinson and Associates, a Tupelobased marketing, advertising and public relations agency.

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Month and provides educational opportunities by recognizing the contributions of African-Americans both in local communities as well as on regional, national and global levels. Eligible high school seniors and college students may apply by submitting a competitive essay about how an AfricanAmerican has inspired and motivated the student.

Essays should address how an African-American individual has served as an inspiration to the

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showed him how to weave the ideas from one plant to another industry. See what that has grown into. One of Ogilvy’s early jobs was as a door-to-door salesman, which led him into writing a guide for his company.

Then Ogilvy worked for Gallup’s Audience Research Institute. His ideas coupled with what he learned created a revolution in advertising in the 1960s. And look at Elvis Presley, whose upbringing and experiences merged his sound and music to become the King of Rock and Roll.

We all have the ability to make changes for the better. It starts with an idea. It takes patience, persistence and support. These ideas are vision. These visions must be marketed internally

F.L. Crane wins three AGC Build MS awards

FULTON – F.L. Crane & Sons Inc. received three Build MS Awards for 2015 from Associated

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FEBRUARY

10 – HOW TO DEVELOP A BUSINESS PLAN, Oxford, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. To register, call 1-800-725-7232. Location: University of Mississippi Small Business Development Center, Lafayette County 11-12 – FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWING CONFERENCE, Lee County AgriCenter, Verona. Fruit and vegetable growers can learn how to produce successful crops in north Mississippi. Mississippi State University will host the two-day event in the Magnolia Building.

The program begins at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 11 and concludes at noon Feb. 12. There is a $15 conference fee for participants.

Lunch is provided the first day. For more information or registration details, contact the local Extension office or email Jeff Wilson at jeff.wilson@msstate.edu.

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18 – BUSINESS AFTER HOURS, J. Britt Lighting & Antiques, 1993 McCullough Blvd., Tupelo; 5 pm.-6:30 p.m.

18 – PRODUCER ADVISORY COUNCIL meeting, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Mississippi state University North Mississippi Research and Extension Center, Verona.

Agricultural clients will meet with representatives from the MSU Extension Service and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station to discuss outreach and research needs. Free, onsite registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Magnolia Conference Center next to the Lee County Agri-Center. The general session begins at 9 a.m.

IF YOU HAVE a business-related event in the coming months, email dennis.seid@journalinc.com.

Summit FROM PAGE 15

relatively young technology trends, but they have already had significant impacts on manufacturing. The entire morning of the 2016 Summit is focused on helping participants keep their competitive edge by knowing what to expect in the future from these and similar technologies.

Another topic in this year’s Summit is cyber security and the need for manufacturers as well as businesses to protect their private information.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security the United States receives

PAGE 17 over 10,700 cyber-attacks per month. So it’s not a matter of if you will get a cybersecurity breach, but when. Additionally, 33 percent of the critical infrastructure attacks were on critical manufacturing companies. In the afternoon session, experts in the field will describe the steps companies need to take to lessen risks associated with these attacks.

The state of Mississippi has been working to evaluate and recommend direction on the state’s workforce training system. James Williams, executive director of the State Workforce Development Board, will provide an update on the evaluation findings and recommendations.

The Mississippi Development Authority’s new executive director, Glenn McCullough, will speak about his vision for the future of MDA and give a current update on the agency.

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

Trends FROM PAGE 3

touch. She doesn’t mind mixing in the old with the new, calling her style “eclectic,” to keep things interesting.

Her clients’ styles vary from case to case. For one project, McSweeney worked with a family who wanted to keep it traditional.

“Some really like that period-style, Old American, Civil War-era-type pieces,” she said. “Also the French antique style is very popular. There are some people who like more contemporary, clean lines.”

For furniture design inspiration, she follows Kelly Wearstler, a designer based out of Los Angeles.

“She has her own line of furniture, and it’s very contemporary,” McSweeney said. “It’s bold with a lot of metallic mixed with a darker palette.”

McSweeney said the color of the year is white. BlairHaus has a variety of white couches, white accent pieces and white accessories.

“I just painted my whole living room white,” she said. “It’s a lot of neutrals, especially with the younger crowd. They like to paint everything white with pops of color here and there.”

McSweeney likes to keep up with furniture design trends because the design industry always changes and evolves.

“It’s a lot like fashion; it always comes full circle back to historical periods that I’ve noticed like the 60s, 70s, mid-century, modern furniture right now that’s very popular,” she said. “Furniture is always going to change. There are very few things that have remained classics.”

FEBRUARY 2016

Services lift economy

Despite grim news of plunging stock markets, a slowing global economy and falling exports, one broad swath of the U.S. economy is still doing well: Service providers, a broad category that includes health care, hotels and shipping.

Service firms expanded at a solid pace in December, according to a survey by the Institute for Supply Management, a trade group. Americans are traveling, eating out more and spending more on cellphone data services. Those activities are largely shielded from global turmoil and have benefited from steady hiring. From Netflix

to Delta Air Lines to JPMorgan Chase, service firms have reported solid earnings of late.

By contrast, manufacturing is struggling. Factory output has been hammered by a strong dollar, &KLQD·V HFRQRPLF VORZGRZQ DQG falling oil prices, which have led drilling companies to order less equipment. Still, manufacturing covers only about 10 percent of the U.S. economy; the healthier service sector covers the rest.

At the same time, risks remain: Falling stock prices could cause Americans to feel less wealthy and spend less, which would hurt services.

Services expand at healthy clip while manufacturing lags 60

60

ISM index since 2008

Services

55.3 55

50

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Chris Rugaber; Jenni Sohn • AP

Source: Institute for Supply Management

zack.orsborn@journalinc.com Twitter: @thedaily_zack

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PAGE 18

Pontotoc FROM PAGE 5

“There was a large pool of employees. A lot of furniture has been run in Pontotoc County, so you have a lot of trained people. The unfortunate part now is there are a lot of furniture manufacturing business here and everyone is busy,” Robbins said.

“The labor pool seems depleted.”

To Robbins, the state of the furniture industry in north Mississippi seems to be better than it has been in a while.

“Even in North Carolina, people are struggling to find workers and that just tells me that everyone is busy,” he said. “The economy is better, for sure.”

FROM FUTORIAN TO THE FUTURE

The genesis of Pontotoc County’s furniture industry emerged when a young upholsterer named Morris Futorian began looking for an ample supply of wood and labor. He was frustrated with the slow pace of his furniture business in Chicago after the Great Depression.

Inspired by a visit to a Detroit automobile plant, Futorian brought the idea

of assembly-line furniture manufacturing to New Albany on Sept. 3, 1948, breaking ground on Stratford Co., named after a street he grew up in Chicago.

Josh West, director of industrial development at Three Rivers Planning and Development, recruits industries to Pontotoc, Chickasaw, Chickasaw and Itawamba counties.

Without Futorian, he said, the furniture industry – and Pontotoc County – would not be where it is today.

“He was recruited by some regional leadership, and a lot of furniture companies spawned from his operation, and over the years, furniture companies have birthed other furniture companies,” West said.

Since West joined Three Rivers in 2009, he’s seen no signs of the furniture industry slowing.

He’s helped furniture manufactures find additional warehouse space, and he’s on the cusp of making a major expansion and addition announcement.

“The amazing thing about Pontotoc is, we have, per capita, the most manufacturing in the state of Mississippi,” West said.

“We’re No. 4 or 5 in the

country, per capita manufacturing percentages.

Most of that is furniture.”

With the continuous expansion of the furniture industry in north Mississippi, more jobs are added each year.

West said one of the powerful aspects of the furniture industry in Pontotoc is the demographic variety in hiring: men, women, old and young.

The training given to the furniture industry through on-job training and training from Itawamba Community College, West said, is some of the best workforce training one can find.

“Pontotoc and Union incentivizes furniture companies to the extent they can,” West said. “I think the greatest thing that Pontotoc County, and the other counties that we serve, gives the furniture industry is continuous engagement.”

Besides providing jobs, West has seen the furniture industry instill an evolving work ethic in the people of Pontotoc.

“We’re able to tell people that our area went from an agri-type work orce, and we trained them to make furniture,” he said. “They sold that to Toyota as the pitch that we can train our people to do anything. It’s a great in-

PAGE 19

dustry to have as far as teaching work ethic to north Mississippians.”

In Pontotoc, the two largest furniture manufacturers, Southern Motion and Ashley Furniture, employ more than 3,800 people combined.

The furniture industry, West said, is a vital piece to not only Pontotoc but to north Mississippi.

“I’m afraid to even ponder what it would be like without the furniture industry here,” he said. “The furniture industry has provided a foundation for us to build on and have fed a lot of families in this area.”

NEW ROADS

Since Pontotoc Mayor Jeff Stafford joined the city as an alderman-at-large, he’s noticed the furniture industry’s impact on the citizens of Pontotoc.

The city works closely with furniture companies that helped stabilize Pontotoc’s economy and quality of life.

“It’s our livelihood,” he said. “They are providing jobs so we do all we can to make them comfortable and make it to where they can do their jobs.”

With interactions with some furniture leaders, he saw how they never remain comfortable in their line of work.

“Everyday they go to work, they are trying to figure out how to make the economy to scale where they can ship things quicker or where they can buy some materials that are less expensive,” Stafford said. “None of them are comfortable because every day they are trying to do something better.”

When the furniture business got soft during the Recession, some furniture companies told their lines to work only 32 hours a week instead of shutting down their entire manufacturing plant.

Instead of letting them off, Stafford said, the companies stuck around “We’ve got one company that refuses to buy stuff overseas, and they are doing great,” he said.

“We’ve got one company that’s moved down here from Wisconsin. They liked our work ethic.”

Stafford commended Pontotoc’s labor force.

When Stafford attended school, everybody’s parents worked. There were no off days, and the current furniture workforce is a healthy one, Stafford said.

Stafford said their work trickles down into the economy to build a better school system and a

higher quality of life.

“When you have both parents working, the children see that their parents work, and that they have to go to work,” he said.

“School is hard, but you can do it with a smile just like the furniture workers.”

The furniture industry also impacts the amount of travel coming in and out of Pontotoc. The transit business helps the sales tax revenue grow.

While workers travel back and forth from work, they buy their groceries and fill up their vehicles with gas.

Besides better schools and increased travel, the furniture industry was one of the main reasons Pontotoc has improved roads, Stafford said.

In the past two years, Pontotoc has seen two 4lanes come through the city: Highways 9 and 6.

“Not many communities can say that,” Stafford said. “A lot of that is furniture-related. They did the lobbying themselves because they have to get their trucks in and out. We all benefit from that. You get everybody working, and then the kids are going to school, and the grades go up.” zack.orsborn@journalinc.com Twitter: @thedaily_zack

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BUILDING SUPPLIES

BUILDING SUPPLIES Rex & Diannah Coggins, Owners

Bath Remodeling Shower Remodeling Tub-To-Shower Conversion Bathroom Accessories Handicap Accessible

"For all your hardware needs"

for your commercial vehicle needs!

1410 SOUTH GLOSTER / TUPELO / 842-3611

BLINDS

B ATH R EMODELING

Give Us One Day… We’ll Give You A Beautiful New Bathroom!

DWAYNE BLACKMON CHEVROLET

Houston Banking Center

P.O. Box 306 • Okolona, Mississippi 38860

(662) 447-5403

Whether you’re hauling or delivering...Call

BANK

Bank Of Okolona 54 1st Street • Mantee, Mississippi

www.bathfitter.com

AUTOMOTIVE COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

JOURNAL PUBLISHING COMPANY PRINT

ONLINE

INTERACTIVE

KRYSTAL BLACK

Multimedia/Inside Sales Consultant 24 Hour Wrecker Service

◆ Junior Burns - Cell 662-728-0524 ◆ David Denson - Cell 662-416-5591 100 W. Veterans Drive • Booneville, MS 38829

Phone 662-728-4459 • Fax (662) 728-4150

krystal.black@journalinc.com PO Box 909 Tupelo, MS | 38802-0909 1242 South Green Street Tupelo, MS | 38804

Phone 662.678.1532 or 1.800.270.2614 ext.532 Fax 662.620.8301

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

FEBRUARY 2016

BUSINESS JOURNAL

FEBRUARY 2016

Business Directory COMMERCIAL CLEANING SERVICES

C ONCRETE

COMMERCIAL PLUMBING

RH PLUMBING, INC. 224 Starlyn Ave. New Albany, MS 38652

662-534-4448

Commercial Plumbing, Gas & Industrial Piping RICHARD HANLON (662) 447-3213

P.O. BOX 417 Okolona, MS 38860

Thank you for choosing RH Plumbing. We appreciate your business

FURNITURE

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

401 Elizabeth St. • Tupelo 662-842-7305

JOURNAL PUBLISHING COMPANY PRINT

ONLINE

INTERACTIVE

PHILLIP WILBURN

589 N. Coley Rd. Tupelo, MS

www.careers.asurion.com Great Employment Opportunities

Multimedia/Inside Sales Consultant phillip.wilburn@journalinc.com 903 Varsity Dr. Tupelo, MS

Mon.-Fri. 9am - 5pm

Fine Furniture, Fabric, & Flooring

FURNITURE

G IFTS

• Tab Boren Pottery

We’ve got all your

• Collegiate Items • Hobo Purses

at affordable prices.

662-489-1176

• Ronaldo • Baby Gifts & More

7540 Veterans Hwy. West • Pontotoc, MS 38863

210 W. Main Street • Okolona, MS • (662)447-3711

I N S U L AT I O N

INSURANCE

Hancock Insurance Agency INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES Member of the QCN Network. Saving You Money And Making You More Comfortable For Over 38 Years Residential & Commercial Insulation, Installation Blown-In Attic Insulation - Blown-in Wall Insulation - Batting www.nsul8or@att.net www.nsul8or.com

662-844-1306

3166 West Jackson, Tupelo, MS

ATV • Life • Health Annuities • RV • Automobile Motorcycle • Home Mobile Home Medicare Supplements

Scott Hancock

Allen Hancock

Monthly Rates Available

Phone 662.678.1530 or 1.800.270.2614 ext.533 Fax 662.620.8301

GLASS & OVERHEAD DOORS

formerly Okolona Drug Co.

home furnishings

PO Box 909 Tupelo, MS | 38802-0909 1242 South Green Street Tupelo, MS | 38804

662-534-2661 720 W . Bankhead St. New Albany

Serving Tupelo for 3 Generations

24 Hour Emergency Service

Store Fronts • Mirrors Shower Doors • Garage Doors Commercial Doors Hollow Metal Doors

662-844-4540

“Serving Tupelo for 3 Generations”

711 ROBERT E. LEE DR. • TUPELO, MS

“Experience Is The Difference”

FAX:662-620-7754

KENNELS

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PAGE 22

PAGE 23

Business Directory LOCKSMITH

MILLER’S SAFE & LOCK SERVICE, INC.

MOVING

arber Printing, Inc.

NEW & USED SAFES

• Safes Serviced & Installed • Locks Installed • Locksets • Combinations Changed • Locks Rekeyed • Lost Keys Replaced • Master Key Systems • High Security Keys AUTO RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL

Call for a Free Estimate

Bronzie Morgan Relocation Specialist

662-842-1120

(662) 842-7720

1219 1⁄2 NELLE STREET • TUPELO

R E A L E S TAT E

PRINTING

PRINTING • GRAPHIC DESIGN • SIGNS BANNERS • BLACK & WHITE/COLOR COPIES

“The Morgan Family has been moving families like yours for over 50 years”

811 A Varsity Dr. • Tupelo, MS • 662.841.1584 8am - 4:30pm • goodimpressions@barberprinting.com

R E S TA U R A N T

R E S TA U R A N T

Party Trays for all Occasions!

Thinking of Selling Your Home or Property?

We Have Six Full-Time Agents Pontotoc Ridge Realty, Ltd. Who Call MOSSY OAK PROPERTIES OFFICE Pontotoc Home. ISEACH INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

Call Us Today 662-489-2848

JOURNAL PUBLISHING COMPANY PRINT

ONLINE

1101 W. Main • Tupelo 842-3774

R E S TA U R A N T

Alternatives to Cigarettes

Multimedia/Inside Sales Consultant jessica.hunter@journalinc.com Phone 662.678.1538 or 1.800.270.2614 ext.538 Fax 662.620.8301

ROOFING

EL

ER

R E TA I L

INTERACTIVE

JESSICA HUNTER

PO Box 909 Tupelo, MS | 38802-0909 1242 South Green Street Tupelo, MS | 38804

499 Gloster Creek Village, Tupelo, MS 38801 Phone: (662) 844-4888 Fax: (662) 844-3006

RO

INC.

• Pizza Spaghetti • Salad Bar • Sandwich • Pasta Special Every Thursday

365-7059

709 S 4th St. • Baldwyn, MS

Mon.-Thurs. 11-10 • Fri.-Sat. 11-11 • Sun. 12-10

TECHNOLOGY

OF

Ecigs, Mechanical Mods, Vapor Smokes, Tanks/Cartomizers, Ejuice, Blu, V2, Century 21 Ecigs

TRUCKING

Achieve greater network per for mance with less.

ING

E H W “A Family Business Since 1946”

• Residential • Commercial • Industrial FREE Estimates LICENSED & INSURED

411 CLARK ST. TUPELO 844-4481

It's time to get more performance from your network with far less. As in less bandwidth utilization, fewer resources, and less cost.

ADVANCED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FACILITY 1150 SOUTH GREEN ST • BUILDING 1, SUITE E • TUPELO,MS 662-821-2500 • www.circadence.com

3637 Peppertown Road Fulton, MS 38834 (662) 862-6497

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

FEBRUARY 2016

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FEBRUARY 2016