Six months after a deadly tornado leveled one of the company’s buildings, Mayfield Consumer Products has announced they will invest $33.3 million into its Hickory Industrial Park site and employ more than 500 people full-time over the next five years.
Mayfield Consumer Products is a contract manufacturer of candles and other household fragrances. The company first expanded its Mayfield-based operation to Hickory in 2018 when it purchased the former Remington plant. That expansion added 52 employees to its then 245 employee workforce. Ground was broken in 2020 for a major expansion of a 100,000 square-foot-addition to that building.
The $33.3 million investment, which was announced in a statement by Gov. Andy Beshear on Thursday, is welcomed news to the community. MCP had stated in January 2022 it would close its Mayfield location, laying off 250 employees, of the now 500 employees, and transferring the other 250 to the Hickory location.
“Although it can no longer operate in Mayfield, please know that MCP plans to continue much of its operation in Kentucky,” Michael Staten, plant manager, had stated in a letter to the Kentucky Office of Employer and Apprenticeship Services.
The announced investment will include the addition of a $2.3 million, 40,000 square-foot expansion already underway, with a $31.3 million, 63,000 square-foot expansion planned in the near future. This will bring the Hickory Industrial Park facility to 300,000 square-foot and consolidate all Graves County operations to Hickory. Company leaders expect the expansion to be completed by 2023.
“We dearly love this community and its citizens,” Mary Propes, founder of MCP, said in the statement. “MCP’s resolve to rebuild here and to play a central role in helping to restore the place we call home has been a top priority since the morning of Dec. 11, 2021. This community has a bright future, and we are committed to being a big part of that progress.”
Jason Lemle, president of Graves County Economic Development, said he is encouraged by MCP continued growth in Graves County. “Mayfield Consumer Products is just one model of enterprising spirit that thrives in our community and we are all grateful for their ability and desire to continue to be such a strong community-oriented business,” Lemle stated. “We look forward to the future of this company and the opportunity to help them continue to grow.”
The project is a partnership between MCP, West Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative, TVA and GCED.
“West Kentucky Rural Electric is pleased to partner with TVA and Graves County Economic Development to foster economic opportunities for the community,” David Smart, CEO of WKRECC said. “This project represents an important step forward in the ongoing effort to rebuild and recover from the devastation left behind by the tornado. We applaud MCP’s continuing commitment to Graves County.”
Also in the statement, Graves County Judge/Executive Jesse Perry said he is happy to see the job creation in the county. “We are excited that Mayfield Consumer Products will continue to grow in Graves County. After the devastation we encountered last December, it is uplifting to see progress move forward,” Judge Perry said. “The capital investment and new jobs in our community is a strong boost to the rebuilding process.”
Founded in Mayfield in 1998, MCP is a family-owned company retained by the Propes family after divesting interests in MVP Group International.