California Loss Is Mississippi Gain

TUPELO, Miss. (AP) – Ashley Furniture Industries is laying off 840 workers at its manufacturing plant in Colton, California, and shifting production to other plants including three in Mississippi.

The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports (http://bit.ly/2bOMf6m) Ashley employs some 4,000 workers at its plants in Ecru, Ripley and Verona.

The company says the majority of production at its California site east of Los Angeles is going to the other U.S. plants to create more efficiency.

Ashley is a huge economic engine, with an annual economic impact of more than $240 million in the state. The company also supports some 400 local suppliers.