ADVANCE — More than four years after identifying a spot on Baltimore Road to build a furniture factory, executives with Ashley Furniture Industries unveiled its new 2.8 million-square-foot manufacturing and distribution center Friday.
Sen. Richard Burr, Gov. Pat McCrory and Rep. Virginia Foxx were among the area dignitaries attending the ceremony, which attracted several hundred state and local leaders and people in the furniture industry.
The manufacturing and distribution center employs 657 people, with plans to have 800 employees by the end of the year, said Todd Wanek, the president and CEO of Ashley Furniture, the world's largest furniture manufacturer.
The distribution center is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year.
McCrory's 58th birthday was noted by several speakers, and a giant cake was brought out with candles for him to blow out. McCrory said news that the plant would soon have 800 employees made it the best birthday ever.
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The new plant will serve an area from Virginia to Florida.
It experienced several delays caused by weather, changing regulations and wetlands.
The plant may have another expansion, but that won't be announced for a few more months, said William Koslo, an Ashley executive.
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