Wholesale distributor Southern Pipe & Supply recently acquired a state-of-the-art, 500,000-square-foot distribution center. The center is strategically located in Meridian, Miss., also the home to the plumbing, air-conditioning, waterworks, and industrial product distributor’s headquarters. 

The property, in the middle of the company’s geographical footprint, features 57 dock doors with 32 feet of ceiling clearance. It will allow Southern Pipe & Supply to effectively serve its 124 locations in seven southeastern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.  

The company made significant investments into modernized racking systems and equipment to improve efficiency and productivity at its new central distribution facility. Modernization includes pallet flow racking and very narrow aisle racking, both of which will allow for increased warehouse capacity as well as ease of moving a high volume of equipment.  

The building sits on approximately 50 acres of land, providing flexibility for the distributor to expand in the future.   

“The purchase of this new facility is due to the remarkable Southern Pipe family members (employees) who make a difference every day,” notes Southern Pipe & Supply President Jay Davidson. “Southern Pipe is fortunate to have the most extraordinary team serving the best customers in the industry. I am blessed to be able to celebrate this milestone with them.”

This year marks the company’s 84th year in business, and with the new facility and expanding footprint, it is geared up for the next 84 years.  Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves celebrated the company’s investment in the state: “I thank the Southern Pipe & Supply team for choosing to grow in its home state rather than moving these operations and jobs out of state. For decades, this company has been a staple of the East Mississippi business community, employing generations of workers in Lauderdale County. The decision to add more jobs and keep hundreds of jobs in Meridian is a shining example of a Mississippi-grown company finding long-lasting success due to the many competitive advantages offered by a Mississippi location.”