The W.P. Hickman Company announced that it has completed the purchase of an 80,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Arden, N.C. It is anticipated that manufacturing operations will commence at the new plant in the second quarter of 2011.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The W.P. Hickman Company announced that it has completed the purchase of an 80,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Arden, N.C. It is anticipated that manufacturing operations will commence at the new plant in the second quarter of 2011.

“With commercial real estate values and interest rates both being at exceptionally low levels, this is an ideal time for us to expand,” said Scott Hickman, CEO. “Our sales have grown significantly over the past five years and it was becoming clear that we were going to need increased capacity to meet future demand.”

“Because the new factory is only a few miles from our existing plant, we anticipate that we’ll be able to retain all of our employees following the relocation,” said Jeff Imes, Chief Operating Officer of W.P. Hickman. “In addition to giving us room to expand our capabilities; this move is also an excellent opportunity for us to reassess our factory layout in the context of our lean manufacturing principles.”

For more information, call 800-892-9173 or visit www.wph.com.