Briggs announces new warehouse and distribution center in Charleston

DUNCAN, S.C. – Briggs Plumbing Products, a global manufacturer of faucets and plumbing fixtures including vitreous china and porcelain enameled steel products, announced today the relocation of its warehouse and distribution center to the Charleston region of South Carolina. Its current warehouse and distribution center is in Jefferson City, Tennessee.

The Port of Charleston, the second largest container port on the east coast behind the combined ports of New York and New Jersey, is the major reason for the relocation. A significant portion of Briggs’ customer base is located in the southeastern United States, which also makes the Charleston location ideal. Both the interstate highway and railway systems offer easy access to Briggs manufacturing plants across the U.S. as well.

Briggs plans to begin operation at the distribution center on April 28, 2000 with 30 employees. The center will be located on Eagle Road off Red Bank Road in Berkeley County. It is estimated that the company will handle approximately 320 truckloads of product per month.

Briggs acknowledges Garrett Scott of Johnson Development Associates for his efforts in securing the facility, which is ideally suited for the company’s long-range requirements.

“We are most pleased to be establishing a distribution center in the Charleston area,” stated Daniel R. Umbs, president and chief executive officer for Briggs. “The Port of Charleston authorities and the Charleston Regional Development Alliance have been very supportive of our efforts. We anticipate continued growth for Briggs Plumbing Products and look forward to a long-term business relationship in the Charleston area.”

Berkeley County Supervisor Jim Rozier welcomed Briggs, noting that the global manufacturer joins a growing community of businesses in the county. “We are always proud to attract a company with global reach, and Briggs certainly has that. We welcome Briggs, the new jobs, and the $5.1 million investment associated with this announcement.”

Elizabeth I. “Sis” Marshall, chairman of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, noted that Briggs’ announcement indicates that the Port of Charleston continues to draw quality businesses to the region. “This tri-county region can credit more than one-half of all companies recruited in the past five years to the presence of our productive, world-class port. The people of Briggs have chosen to partner with a winning region.”

The Charleston Regional Development Alliance was formed in 1995 to help diversify and strengthen the region’s economy. Since that time, the three-county alliance has helped attract more than $2 billion in capital investment and more than 10,000 jobs.

“We welcome Briggs to our growing community of businesses and manufacturers,” said Goose Creek Mayor Michael Heitzler. “The City of Goose Creek continues to see strong returns on our investment in our infrastructure. I would like to thank Johnson Development for bringing Briggs to the Goose Creek Community, and for their plans to develop the surrounding Yeamans Business Park. We are pleased that Johnson Development will soon be constructing the first of several spec buildings in that location.”

“The Port of Charleston continues to attract the best and brightest companies to South Carolina,” said Secretary of Commerce Charles S. Way, Jr. “There’s no doubt that fast access to raw materials, company plants, and established customers means a more profitable bottom line for Briggs Plumbing. We’re very pleased they chose to locate here.”

Briggs Plumbing Products, a CISA company, is a global manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom plumbing fixtures marketing its products through wholesalers, contractors and major retailers. Products include SAYCO brand lavatory, kitchen and tub/shower faucets featuring ceramic disc pressure balance valves. Briggs branded products include vitreous china toilets featuring the Vacuity WhisperVac flushing technology, bidets and lavatories; as well as porcelain enameled lavatories, bathtubs and kitchen sinks featuring UltraTUFF.

With corporate offices in Tampa, Florida, its newly established facility in Duncan, South Carolina, and several other U.S. manufacturing sites, Briggs has been providing quality products and innovations for over 90 years and has built its business on the philosophy of offering customers quality products at affordable prices. For more information on any Briggs product call 1.800.888.4458 or visit our web site at www.briggsplumbing.com