Ringgold, VA – July 30, 2020- In October of 2019, Morgan Olson President & CEO Mike Ownbey publically shared, “Morgan Olson’s Ringgold, Virginia plant will be operational by June of 2020.” Morgan Olson took ownership of the building in March of 2020 and within four months, transformed the previous furniture manufacturing plant into a 925,000-sq.-ft., state-of-the-art automotive manufacturing facility that is now operational.
There are not many businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic that are building new plants and providing meaningful, long-term career opportunities. Morgan Olson’s step vans are in demand more than ever, delivering essential supplies and services.
Mr. Ownbey adds, “The step vans we make are delivering life-saving medical supplies to hospitals and homes. Our step vans also deliver food and water to people’s doorstep. Even our municipality step vans are hard at work, providing cities with infrastructure support to power and gas companies all across our nation. Now add that the vast majority of anything ordered online is being delivered by Morgan Olson package delivery step vans. Morgan Olson is growing, and this new Ringgold, Virginia plant is essential to supporting to these many needs.”
Morgan Olson is also ahead of its goal of employing 703 new team members at the Ringgold, Virginia plant by the end of 2021, currently employing over 300 new team members.
“We’re hiring new team members every week, and I’d encourage anyone that wants a stable job, that can show up to work on time – work their hours responsibly and not be afraid of getting their hands a little dirty to please apply at Morgan Olson,” Ownbey concluded.
Morgan Olson’s strong partnership with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) and the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance (SVRA) also contributed greatly to achieving this timeline goal.
“We applaud Morgan Olson for accomplishing its mission to start production on time, and for hiring more than 300 workers since the October announcement—a major feat at any point, and even more so during a global pandemic,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “An industry leader like Morgan Olson choosing Danville-Pittsylvania County after a nation-wide search demonstrates that the investments the region has made to revitalize itself, particularly in regard to developing a pipeline of skilled workers, are paying off. The company’s commitment to hiring, increasing opportunities for individuals and uplifting the community is impressive, and we are proud to have Morgan Olson as a corporate partner.”
VEDP President and CEO Stephen Moret shared, “We are delighted to celebrate Morgan Olson’s first milestone of officially starting production on schedule, as well as exceeding the employment numbers of the former IKEA plant. The company’s new manufacturing operation in Danville-Pittsylvania County is one of the first major successes of the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, which was launched in 2019 to accelerate new facility start-ups through the direct delivery of customized recruitment and training services. We are training skilled workers in the region on Morgan Olson’s advanced processes and procedures and facilitating four weeks of leadership training, which has been critical in helping Morgan Olson achieve its start-up goals. We look forward to our continued partnership as this industry leader ramps up, creating invaluable job opportunities and an economic boost for the region.”
Linda Green, Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance, shares, “In a short period of time, Morgan Olson has exceeded all original commitments while providing career opportunities for local employees and changing the future economy of our region. Each of us can smile when we see a package delivery step van traveling down the street knowing it may have been made in Danville, Virginia,” concludes Green.
Morgan Olson will be planning an official ribbon-cutting ceremony once pandemic travel restrictions are lifted for their valued customers, state and local officials and Morgan Olson valued team members.
(To apply online or learn more about Morgan Olson visit www.morganolson.com , select the Ringgold, VA facility to apply)