Photo courtesy Lockers Manufacturing Facebook
Lockers Manufacturing, a custom storage systems producer, is expanding its Batesville operations through a $9.7 million investment that will create 25 new jobs.
The company, which has manufactured metal lockers since 2014, expanded its product line in 2024 to include wood, phenolic, plastic laminate and high-density polyethylene lockers. It offers fully customizable designs across multiple materials to meet a wide range of customer needs.
As part of the expansion, Lockers Manufacturing is adding two new divisions in Batesville to support increased production of wood and plastic lockers. The company is purchasing an existing facility and installing new manufacturing capabilities.
Lockers relocated to its current Batesville site in 2021 after acquiring a 62,000-square-foot building in the city’s original industrial area.
State and local partners, including the Mississippi Development Authority, AccelerateMS, the city of Batesville and Panola County, are assisting with the project. State support includes the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive program.
Gov. Tate Reeves said the project reflects Mississippi’s approach to economic development.
“Mississippi doesn’t wait for opportunity — we build the environment where it happens,” Reeves said. “Lockers Manufacturing is expanding in Batesville because we deliver speed, certainty and a workforce ready to perform.”
Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director Bill Cork said the state continues to compete by moving projects quickly.
“Mississippi competes by prioritizing speed so companies go from investing to making money faster,” Cork said. “Lockers Manufacturing is once again investing with confidence and expanding in a state that can keep up with that ambition.”
Lockers Manufacturing CEO Keith Dunham said the expansion builds on strong partnerships and long-term growth in Mississippi.
“Lockers Manufacturing is proud to be a state-of-the-art American manufacturer helping to make Mississippi a stronger place to live and work,” Dunham said. “We are grateful to work with MDES, MDA, the Panola Partnership, the city of Batesville and AccelerateMS as we support local manufacturing jobs and drive economic growth.”
Dunham said the company’s relationships with national architectural firms have helped support its growth.
“With our governor’s support, coupled with national architectural firms who embrace our brand, Lockers Manufacturing is revitalizing the manufacturing community in Mississippi,” he said. “We are thankful for those relationships that embrace our ‘any design, any material, any technology’ approach.”
Panola Partnership CEO Joe Azar said the company has built a strong workplace culture.
“Lockers Manufacturing produces high-quality lockers with modern technological options,” Azar said. “Keith Dunham is building a workforce culture centered on training, confidence, respect and a sense of belonging. That gives the company a competitive edge.”