GAINESBORO – A new company is gearing up to begin manufacturing operations in Jackson County, a long-awaited jobs gain for the community, leaders say.
Integrity Foam Solutions LLC and owner Eli Schmucker recently acquired a vacant industrial building located at 1189 North Grundy Quarles Highway in Gainesboro. Integrity Foam Solutions will be a full-service foam fabricating plant along with a cut and sew operation. IFS will provide foam and fab to the mattress and furniture industry, said Schmucker, who is also founder and CEO of Dutch Craft Mattress Company in Celina.
“What makes us unique is the ability to do everything in house, from cutting the foam to sewing the covers and shipping to wholesalers and direct to consumers,” Schmucker said in a release. “The possibilities are endless and we look forward to many years in Gainesboro.”
The 54,000-square-foot building offers an ideal layout and location for the new plant, he said, including proximity to Dutch Craft’s Clay County operations.
While the deal had been in the works for several months, Jackson County officials celebrated the formal announcement in January – it’s been several years since a manufacturing jobs gain has been secured for the community.
“We’re excited about the fact that a business would consider the economic climate viable here to locate,” interim chamber president Sam Petty said. “Besides the fact that it creates jobs, it creates optimism in the community as well.”
No exact start date for operations was given. But initial employment will start at approximately 10 employees and should reach 30 within a short amount of time, Schmucker said.
“We appreciate all the help and support we have received from the local officials, the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, the local industrial board, the mayor and the Cumberland Area Investment group to make our efforts to start this plant in Gainesboro a reality,” he added.
