Johnson Controls currently employs 225 workers at the facility. It is one of the top five preferred manufacturing employers in Hattiesburg. The existing plant was built in 1968, and the last building expansion was completed more than 20 years ago.
The new expansion involves ongoing collaboration among many partners, including the City of Hattiesburg, Forrest County and Area Development Partnership. The general contractor is Rustin Metal Buildings and Construction, Laurel, Mississippi.
Chad Driskell, chair, Area Development Partnership, stated: “Johnson Controls’ expansion in Hattiesburg speaks to our pro-business operating environment and the quality of our regional workforce. Employees drive from across South Mississippi to work in the regional hub, which also creates more opportunities here for them to dine, shop and play.”
David Hogan, president of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, said: “We’re honored to hear Johnson Controls is expanding here in Forrest County. The company has a history of success here in the Forrest County Industrial Park that dates back 50 years, and we look forward to the company’s presence for another 50 years as a major contributor to our strong manufacturing sector.”
While the expansion is a boon to the local economy, it also demonstrates the continued investment and leadership of Johnson Controls in the heating and air conditioning industry. Manufactured in Hattiesburg, YORK and Miller-Picking air-handling units are used in commercial buildings throughout the world. The plant complements the company’s Airside Center of Excellence in York County, Pennsylvania, which features 40,000 square feet of office space and 285,000 square feet of manufacturing space.