A northwest Georgia floor-coverings manufacturer plans to expand a factory in Calhoun that makes luxury vinyl tile, creating 286 jobs.
Mannington Mills will invest $22 million in the project, including the purchase of an 11-acre site for the new facility, according to Gov. Brian Kemp’s office. It’s the company’s third expansion in two years.
Most recently, Salem, N.J.-based Mannington in 2018 created 200 jobs in Calhoun, where its commercial carpet manufacturing plant is located.
The announcement is a boost for an industry that's in a period of transition, as consumers shift to hardwood, tile and other types of flooring instead of carpet. Sales of residential and commercial carpet have recently declined, although that's been offset by growth in other flooring categories.
Shaw Industries, the world’s largest carpet maker, said earlier this month that it will cut 275 jobs by closing a Dalton plant that makes residential carpet and shifting its production to newer facilities. The northwest Georgia region where carpet manufacturing is concentrated has one of the highest unemployment rates in Georgia. Metro Dalton had a 4.7% unemployment rate in December, compared with the statewide rate of 3.2%.
Still, carpet remains a major economic force in northwest Georgia. The carpet industry employs about 50,000 workers in the state, according to industry trade group Carpet and Rug Institute. About 85% of all carpet in the U.S. is made within a 65-mile radius of Dalton.
Kemp’s press release did not disclose whether Mannington received state tax incentives for the expansion. Spokeswomen for the Georgia Department of Economic Development and Mannington didn’t immediately share any information.
In addition to vinyl tile and commercial carpet, Mannington makes laminate and hardwood flooring. Earlier this month, Mannington acquired Dalton-based Phenix Flooring, marking its entry into the residential carpet category.
