Simmons Co. opening three new plants; Sumner, Wash, Hazleton, Pa. and South Georgia

American City Business Journals ^ | 09-29-03

[Brian S]

Lisa R. Schoolcraft Staff Writer

Simmons Co., the nation's second-largest bedding manufacturer, is planning to open three new manufacturing plants.

New plants will open in Sumner, Wash., and Hazleton, Pa. A third plant will open in South Georgia as a result of the closing of Atlanta-based Simmons' Jacksonville, Fla., plant.

The plants will range in size from 150,000 square feet to 215,000 square feet. The Sumner facility is expected to employ 140. The other two will employ 225 workers.

The Sumner plant is expected to open in November, with Hazleton opening in March. The South Georgia plant, the site of which has not been announced yet, will likely open in May 2004.

"Over the last few years, Simmons has experienced growth in sales to an expanding customer base," said Charlie Eitel, Simmons Co. chairman. "At the same time, our 'zero waste' initiative has generated significant process improvements and waste reduction, paving the way for the next level of operational excellence and network optimization."

The new plants will be designed to reflect the upgraded operations, he said.

The Jacksonville plant will close later this year. Simmons lost the lease on the 205,729-square-foot manufacturing facility it had occupied for 30 years. Approximately 125 employees will be affected by the closure there.

Simmons, which manufactures bedding brands including Beautyrest, operates 18 plants throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

© 2003 American City Business Journals Inc.

[Clemenza]

Ping!

[djf]

Cripes! Just what I need! More traffic jams!

Just kidding! ;-)
We Sumnerites like the rural life.

[djf]

And I think all 4,000 of us or so oughta get a free mattress out of the deal!

[GOP_1900AD]

Good news. I also note that Sinofication of the other portions of the furniture biz (at least at the higher end) has not yet set in. Still lots of stuff out of NC and a few other places in Dixie.

[AGreatPer]

This is great news for the coal region of Hazelton. GE has been closing a hugh plant in the area during the last year.

[Brian S]

I don't know about a free mattress but I'll keep/recommend Simmons to those in the market.

[sinkspur]

Coil mattresses suck.

Select Comfort is the best bed in the marketplace, and worth every penney.

I'm glad Simmons is growing, but lots of people buying Simmons could be sleeping better.

[djf]

They picked the right place. It ia sleepy little town. I haven't seen the construction yet, but I wasn't looking for it either. Down in the valley, I'm up the hill. (Some would say "over" not "up").

[_Jim]

Ahhh ... news I can SLEEP ON for a change ...

[Eala]

And I think all 4,000 of us or so oughta get a free mattress out of the deal!

Does Simmons give credit for used mattresses on trade-in? *\;-)