Sanderson Plumbing’s name is changing once again.
Officials from Beneke Magnolia Inc. announced they acquired Sanderson Plumbing Products Inc., ensuring the Columbus facility will continue to operate and none of the company’s jobs will be lost.
“I am pleased state and local officials were able to help Beneke Magnolia officials purchase (Sanderson Plumbing) and retain the company’s 400 workers in Lowndes County,” said Gov. Phil Bryant. “Business retention is a critical component of economic development and the state of Mississippi stands committed to helping our existing companies retain their workers and thrive over the long term.”
Established as the Findeisen-Kropf Manufacturing Company in Chicago, Sanderson Plumbing has been manufacturing toilet seats since 1893. Henry Beneke Sr. purchased the company in 1939 and moved it to Columbus. Although the name has changed several times over the years, the company has been in continuous production in Columbus, since first establishing manufacturing operations in the 1930s.
“We feel that these jobs and this facility are invaluable to Columbus, Lowndes County and the state of Mississippi and we look forward to growing and expanding our business,” said Beneke Magnolia CEO Tom Whitaker.
Sanderson Plumbing was acquired with a loan through the Mississippi Development Authority and assistance through the Momentum Mississippi incentives program. Additionally, the Columbus-Lowndes Development Link assisted with the project.
“The Columbus-Lowndes Development Link is pleased that Beneke Magnolia has purchased Sanderson Plumbing Products,” Link CEO Joe Higgins said today. “Tom Whitaker and his team are to be commended for their loyalty and commitment to the community and their employees. We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with Beneke Magnolia.”
“I am delighted Beneke Magnolia, a locally owned company, has purchased (Sanderson Plumbing Products Inc.) to ensure its doors will stay open in Columbus and its 400 employees will continue to have jobs,” said MDA Interim Executive Director Jim Barksdale. “I am grateful for Beneke Magnolia officials’ commitment to (Sanderson Plumbings’) workers, the local community and the state of Mississippi and I am proud MDA and local officials were able to support this project.”
Beneke Magnolia is a full-line manufacturer of toilet seats, producing molded wood, injection-molded solid plastic, aircraft, health care, manufactured homes and soft vinyl toilet seats.
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