By Alyssa Schnugg
Staff writer
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com
SMW Manufacturing announced last week it will be expanding its operations in Lafayette County by investing $4 million and creating 25 new jobs.
SMW is located in the Lafayette County Max D. Hipp Industrial Park. The company moved into the old Caterpillar plant that closed in 2016.
The plant manufactures cold-formed components for the heavy truck, automotive, mining, construction and industrial markets. It currently employs about 50 people. The company stated it is committed to filling the 25 new positions within four years.
Jon Maynard, president and CEO of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Foundation, said SMW’s ability to grow into new markets and attract new customers has been “amazing.”
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“This expansion, coming on the heels of their announcement to locate here, is proof that their commitment in Oxford is solid,” Maynard said. “We will see great things coming from this company – new jobs, new investment. They even present strong opportunities to attract suppliers and partners in similar businesses to our area. They have become great partners for our economic development team.”
For the expansion, SMW is relocating equipment from Minnesota to Mississippi to accommodate the increased production.
“To say that we are pleasantly surprised by the successes we’ve achieved in this first year would be quite the understatement,” said SMW General Manager/VP of Operations Rich DesCoteaux in a written statement. “Because of the get-it-done attitude and ability to learn new concepts, the plans to populate new business into Oxford have been accelerated.”
The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance for equipment relocation.
Other businesses looking to hire
Several other local businesses are looking to hire local people.
A Job Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Oxford Conference Center. Featured employees who will be at the fair taking applications include Wise Staffing, Personnel Network Staffing, Woodmen Life, Mississippi College, United, Legacy Hospice, Cash-to-Go, Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi and others.
For more information, call 662-801-9607.
