RUSSELLVILLE, Alabama – Farmers Home Furniture announced plans today to invest $10 million in a new distribution center in northwest Alabama, creating up to 80 jobs and strengthening its expanding retail presence in the Southeast.
At a media briefing in Franklin County today, Farmers outlined plans for the hub, which will be located in a 325,000-square-foot facility in the Russellville Industrial Park.
“Farmers Furniture operates a growing network of retail stores, and I welcome their decision to open a distribution center in Franklin County, allowing the business to continue to grow,” Governor Robert Bentley said in a statement. “Creating jobs for Alabama citizens is my top priority, and I am grateful for the new jobs and the significant investment that Farmers is bringing to northwest Alabama.”
‘FOUNDER’S DREAM’
Farmers, founded in Soperton, Georgia, in 1949 by Sherwin Glass, is one of the Top 100 furniture companies in the United States. Farmers operates 198 stores with more than 2,000 employees in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Florida and most recently Tennessee.
Officials said locating the new distribution center in Russellville means Farmers is perfectly positioned to serve its north Alabama and new Tennessee locations, as well as move forward with its long-term growth plans. The company now operates a distribution center in Dublin, Georgia.
Chairman and CEO Phillip Faircloth said the company continues to “honor Sherwin Glass’ dream by investing in small town America and providing opportunities to live and work in small towns.”
“Farmers strives to be a good citizen of every community where it invests, and being an employee-owned company, we have committed to return the benefits of our success to our employee-owners and communities,” Faircloth added. “We are grateful to the State of Alabama and the City of Russellville for their support, which enabled us to expand our distribution operations here in Russellville.”
ECONOMIC BOOST
After a multi-state search for distribution center space, Farmers said it determined that Franklin County was the best fit for its expansion purposes due to the availability of skilled workers and the support of the City of Russellville, the Alabama Department of Commerce, and the Franklin County Development Authority.
“Farmers Home Furniture’s new distribution hub in Russellville is an important component in the company’s strategy to expand its retail footprint,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “This announcement reflects the company’s confidence in Alabama’s workforce and in the area’s infrastructure network.”
Local economic development and city officials say Franklin County will benefit from the Farmers distribution center.
“This new distribution center, investment and jobs created by Farmers will be a major boost to our local economy,” said Russellville Mayor David Grissom. “Russellville has a long history of supporting business, and Farmers’ decision to open a distribution center here is further testament to our teamwork approach to working with business and industry.”
Since 2012, Franklin County has had five new company announcements and seven industry expansions totaling $97.8 million in capital investment and 1,105 new jobs, according to the Franklin County Development Authority.
“Companies that locate in Franklin County, Alabama, always have successful endeavors. Farmers will be a great corporate citizen in Franklin County, and the new jobs they create will have a lasting impact on our community,” said Mitch Mays, executive director of the authority.
