Home » JOMEL Seams Reasonable opens sewing facility in Jamestown

JOMEL Seams Reasonable opens sewing facility in Jamestown

Mattress cover and component operation will eventually employ 30 in Russell County

zippersFRANKFORT, Ky. (March 29, 2018) – National mattresses component maker JOMEL Seams Reasonable Inc. opened its 30-job manufacturing facility in Russell County on Thursday.

“JOMEL Seams Reasonable’s decision to expand its workforce and production capability in Jamestown is a testament to the company’s savvy growth strategy and proven record of the cut-and-sew workforce in South Central Kentucky,” Gov. Bevin said. “They can rest comfortably knowing there is no better place in America to accomplish their mission. In fact, JOMEL Seams Reasonable chose this ideal location, not only to capitalize on the market shift toward boxed mattress, but also to start writing the next chapter for both the company and the region. We wish them continued success in the coming years.”

The $422,000 project included reconfiguring and equipping the former GGF Heritage manufacturing plant on Ferco Way. The leased plant, already operating with 14 employees, primarily manufactures zippered smooth-top mattress covers. It can also produce a variety of bedding products and cut-and-sew items outside the mattress industry.

Company representatives said the large pool of cut-and-sew talent in an area where OshKosh and Fruit of the Loom formerly employed hundreds of people made south central Kentucky attractive. JOMEL’s second bedding-related Kentucky facility allows the company to grow along with the booming market for bed-in-a-box mattresses that can be home delivered.

“The location decision for us was made easier because there has been a lot of support, from the city and county, to the state,” said Lila Walker, president of JOMEL Seams Reasonable. “We have the skilled people here that made this an incredibly attractive place to be. We are very proud to be made in America, but also have the workforce and central location that allows us to compete anywhere.”

Plant Manager Steve Sanders, a 21-year employee of Fruit of the Loom, said quality of workers make the plant versatile.

“We’ve already learned that, with the kind of sewing experience we have here, we can really do just about anything someone needs,” Sanders said. “We’ve had various things brought to us and have been able to deconstruct that back to a pattern and replicate it in a matter of hours.”

The New Jersey-based company also operates two plants in nearby Burkesville. The largest Cumberland County plant manufactures quilted mattress covers and employs about 58 people. JOMEL recently bought a 10-employee company that manufactures moving blankets. The company also operates a plant located in Trinity, N.C.

Affiliate company JOMEL Industries Inc. has been manufacturing custom bedding components, including corner guards, handles and zippers, since 1993.

Sen. Max Wise said the company’s decision to come to Jamestown made sense on a number of levels.

“I am pleased to welcome JOMEL Seams Reasonable to Jamestown,” Wise said. “With a skilled workforce already in the community, Jamestown is the perfect fit for this company that has found a niche market in the commonwealth and beyond. I look forward to JOMEL Seams Reasonable’s success in our region and nationwide.”

Jamestown Mayor Nick Shear said the company’s opening was a testament to ongoing efforts to attract business.

“We strive each and every day to provide a better opportunity to citizens of Jamestown and Russell County,” Shear said. “Though we continue to strive, we are encouraged by the recent development and welcome JOMEL Seams Reasonable to Jamestown. We look forward to developing a deeper relationship with JOMEL and other industries that are looking to come to a community of hard working and dedicated people.”

Russell County judge-executive Gary Robertson said the company’s decision was proof that a strong workforce can still help American company’s succeed.

“It has been a pleasure to assist, along with many other partners, in the recruitment of JOMEL Seams Reasonable to locate its newly expanded manufacturing operation in Jamestown and Russell County,” Robertson said. “This is an example of how we have a talented and skilled workforce that is still needed by American companies who are in the textile business to be an effective recruiting tool. The Russell County Fiscal Court stands ready to be of any further assistance to JOMEL and its management team as they move forward to making Russell County a future home.”

To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in September 2017 preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $122,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.

In addition, JOMEL can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. In fiscal 2017, the Kentucky Skills Network provided training for more than 120,000 Kentuckians and 5,700 companies from a variety of industry sectors.

For more information on JOMEL Seams Reasonable, http://www.jomel.net.

A detailed community profile for Jamestown and Russell County can be viewed at http://bit.ly/RussellCoKy.