From The Vicksburg Post

VICKSBURG — More than 400 jobs will be created in Warren County,  Gov. Phil Bryant said in a news release this morning when he announced a $9.5 million investment at the CERES Industrial Complex.

Unified Brands, a commercial kitchen equipment manufacturer, will consolidate three of its company locations to the former Simpson Duravent Building located on 88 Armory Road. It plans to be fully operational by January 2019.

The move represents the largest manufacturing job creation project in Warren County in the last 15 years.

“Mississippians are hard workers who take pride in a job well done, as evidenced by Unified Brands’ decision to grow its operations in our state and create hundreds of new jobs in Warren County,” Bryant said. “Vicksburg has enjoyed recent economic growth, and this exciting announcement continues that momentum.”

Unified Brands, a division of Dover Corp., is considered a leader in professional food equipment design, manufacturing and service products, including cooking equipment, refrigeration systems, ventilation and utility distribution systems, meal delivery systems and more. The publicly held company has annual revenues of approximately $7 billion.

By transferring work to Warren County from company locations in Oklahoma, Michigan and Byram, Unified Brands also plans new product launches.

“We’re looking forward to the expansion to Vicksburg,” Dave Herring, president of Unified Brands, said. “This facility will enable us to improve the work environment for our employees, increase operational efficiencies and provide a foundation for longterm growth.”

Pablo Diaz, president and CEO of the Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Partnership, said the decision by Unified Brands to select Warren County to consolidate its operations and create jobs is exciting news for the area.

“Our economic development team worked tirelessly and closely with the Mississippi Development Authority to win this project for Mississippi and for Vicksburg and Warren County,” Diaz said. “We look forward to supporting Unified Brands as they ramp up and grow in our community.”

Unified Brands will host two job fairs, the first Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its facility and a second job fair later in the fall.