COMPANY THAT BOUGHT W.A. BROWN BRINGING JOBS
9/18/2010
The Virginia company that purchased W.A. Brown Co. last month will move 40 percent of its operations to the Salisbury plant. Southern Stainless Equipment will complete the move of its walk-in cooler and freezer business to the Rowan County facility by Oct. 1, according to Jake Werner, president and chief operating officer of W.A. Brown.
No numbers on how many jobs will move here were released.
Southern Stainless Equipment of Waynesboro, Va., was a regional competitor of W.A. Brown before the purchase. It has been in business since 1955.
W.A. Brown, located at 209 Long Meadow Drive, is the oldest private manufacturer of commercial walk-in coolers and freezers in the foodservice industry. The company is celebrating its 100th year in business this year.
Robert Van Geons, executive director of Rowan Works Economic Development, called the move “a positive sign for our local economy. “The announcement again emphasizes W.A. Brown’s ongoing commitment to Salisbury operations,” he said.
The two companies operate as sister companies, according to Werner.
“We’re consolidating the walk-in cooler/freezer business in Salisbury,” said Werner. “W.A. Brown is much more advanced technically in its facility and equipment.” The move will increase production and add efficiency, he said. Since being named chief operating officer early this year, Werner has emphasized W.A. Brown’s continued sense of community responsibility.
“We are looking forward to a successful growth process,” he said at the purchase announcement. “We already have great momentum, both in terms of morale and sales.”
The Southern Stainless walk-in product line will continue as a private label this year, Werner said, with a decision to be made in 2011 on consolidation of labels. Southern Stainless’ metal fabricating business will remain in Waynesboro.
Initially, purchasing, drafting and information technology departments are being consolidated at the W.A. Brown location.
Southern Stainless’ metal fabricating business will remain in Waynesboro.
W.A. Brown sells its products nationally to restaurants, convenience stores, grocery chains, schools, hospitals, casinos, blood banks, caterers, chemical houses, florists and others.