CENTERVILLE, IOWA -- Residents in Centerville and Appanoose County have great news to celebrate as Barker Specialty Products is hiring 40 new employees for its Centerville factory.
Barker Specialty Products is owned by Hill PHOENIX, a company based out of Georgia. Hill PHOENIX purchased the company in 2009 and since has invested over $3 million into the company.
The two companies make large refrigeration units for supermarkets and grocery store chains.
On Wednesday, KTVO spoke with Tod Faris, the executive director of the Appanoose Economic Development Corporation. Faris had nothing but positive comments for both Barker Specialty Products and Hill Phoenix.
Faris informed KTVO that Barker and Hill PHOENIX provide refrigeration units for both Wal-Mart and Kroger, the two largest supermarket chains in the world.
Because of their suppliers, they are now able to add more jobs to the company.
“The way I understand their plans, is that they are actually just scratching the surface. They are just getting started. The plant already has 190 employees. We are really blessed that a great company is located here and has dedicated their efforts to really growing here,” said Faris.
Faris was told by officials within the company that over the next 2 to 3 years, the amount of workers at its Centerville plant will double.
“As an overall company, which is owned by Hill PHOENIX, they will continue to grow the process here and they will continue to add jobs,” said Faris.
According to Faris, Hill PHOENIX bought the company for the people. The CEO of Hill PHOENIX was delighted to know that the people who worked in the Centerville plant knew everything about the products being made in the facility.
Faris believes that Appanoose County is on the upswing when it comes to jobs and the economy.
For more information on Appanoose County and their Economic Development Corporation, visit their website here.
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