SMW Manufacturing expanded operations in Lafayette County, investing $4 million and creating 25 jobs. The expansion supports the company’s new contracts, as well as its rapid growth in North Mississippi.
Governor Phil Bryant said the productive workforce in North Mississippi was instrumental in SMW’s decision to expand its operations in Lafayette County.
“We are committed to ensuring companies such as SMW have access to a talented labor pool so they may enjoy years of growth and success in our great state,” said Governor Bryant.
With experience in cold forming and machining space, SMW manufactures components for the heavy truck, automotive, mining, construction and industrial markets. In 2017, the company announced it would take over operations in the former Caterpillar facility in Lafayette County. For the expansion, SMW is relocating equipment from Minnesota to Mississippi to accommodate the increased production.
SMW General Manager/VP of Operations, Rich DesCoteaux, said SMW Manufacturing’s presence in Oxford just reached its first anniversary at the beginning of July.
“To say that we are pleasantly surprised by the successes we’ve achieved in this first year would be quite the understatement. The team has chosen to manage and operate the Mississippi location are all locally grown talent; SMW did not transplant a single employee,” said DesCoteaux. “Because of the get-it-done attitude and ability to learn new concepts, the plans to populate new business into Oxford have been accelerated. We greatly appreciate the support provided by the state of Mississippi, Lafayette County and the city of Oxford.”
The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance for equipment relocation.
MDA Executive Director, Glenn McCullough, Jr., said SMW’s expansion exemplifies the state’s supportive business environment coupled with a talented workforce, which effectively enable industry leaders to achieve their goals in Mississippi.
“MDA is proud to support SMW as the company creates exciting new career opportunities for the people of North Mississippi,” said McCullough.
The addition of the 25 new jobs brings employment at SMW to 75. The company has committed to filling the new jobs over the next four years.
