December
22, 2009 Johnson City, TN - Mullican
Flooring is growing its workforce and adding another production
line for solid prefinished hardwood flooring at its Johnson City,
TN headquarters and manufacturing site. The expansion represents
a $6 million investment and will position the company for industry
growth in 2010.
Mullican officials plan to kick off the company's
25th anniversary next year by adding 25 new jobs in the first quarter.
An additional 50 jobs will be created over the next two years. In
total, the local facility's labor force is expected to grow more
than 50 percent by 2012.
The new production line, to be operational by March
1, will also bolster the Johnson City site's manufacturing capacity
of solid prefinished flooring by 50 percent. Mullican has other
production sites in Norton, VA; Holland N. Y.; and Ronceverte, W.Va.
"This not only represents growth in our workforce
and production, but it also shows we are providing a stable work
environment for our 135 employees in Johnson City," said Mullican
President Neil Poland."The past year was extremely difficult
for our nation's economy, especially the building industry, so it's
rewarding to bring some positive news to our region and our industry
as we wrap up 2009."
Poland illustrated that the new production line
enables the company's Johnson City plant to produce enough solid
prefinished flooring in less than two days to cover the infield
at NASCAR's Bristol Motor Speedway - the "World's Fastest Half-Mile."
The expansion project is being partially funded
through a Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) loan. "We are glad
to assist Mullican Flooring with its expansion and wish to extend
our congratulations," says John Bradley, TVA's senior vice-president
of economic development. "TVA and other local service providers,
such as the Johnson City Power Board, are glad to partner with area
businesses so they stay and thrive in our community."
Brian Greenwell, Mullican's vice-president for
sales and marketing, maintains that although 2009 was difficult
for the hardwood flooring industry, Mullican planned accordingly
for the economic downturn. One of the company's strategies was to
focus on developing prefinished "green" flooring for the
remodeling market.
"Our research indicated several years ago
that there would be an increased demand for hardwood products that
would bring sustainability to our forests," Greenwell says.
"Although hardwood floors are a naturally "green"
product, we took things a step further by developing several new
products that meet the strictest standards being mandated in the
building industry." Recognized as one of the nation's largest
manufacturers of 3/4 inch solid hardwood flooring, the company gained
industry recognition in 2009 by introducing its "Green Haven"
line, prefinished floors that are certified 100 percent-PURE by
the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC is an international
organization that promotes environmentally appropriate management
of the world's forests.
Hardwood floors that are 100 percent-PURE FSC-certified
are made entirely of wood originating from FSC-certified forests.
Mullican's FSC-PURE products, which were introduced during 2009,
are available in prefinished solid domestic, engineered and exotic
hardwood selections.
Mullican is known for its quality and diverse range
of products that include hand-sculpted selections, exotics and engineered
floors. For more information, visit www.mullicanflooring.com.
