Summit, Miss. (May 12, 2020) — Gigantic Bag Co., LLC, is expanding operations in Mississippi. The manufacturer of plastic goods that support health, food, and infrastructure services throughout the United States will be leasing an existing building east of McComb to assist in efforts to battle the COVID-19 global pandemic.
The new manufacturing operation is fueled by local business couple, Donna and John Westbrook, who started with a vision of investing in the plastics industry and in Pike County, where John’s family roots date back to 1845.
Gigantic Bag, founded in 2015, has grown to 75 employees and continues to add staff. The additional facility will house manufacturing operations for polyethylene hospital gowns for the national healthcare industry. All products are made locally in Mississippi.
Jill Busby, CEcD, executive director of the Pike County Economic Development District, commends Gigantic Bag on the expansion. “We have always been proud to assist with Gigantic Bag’s growth, but this expansion means even more to our community,” said Busby. “Pike County residents should be proud of the work Gigantic Bag is doing to keep healthcare professionals safe across our state and nation”.
Since the pandemic began, Gigantic Bag has converted existing operations to manufacture additional products for healthcare, food service, and safety. Recognizing a need for additional manufacturing space, the company requested to lease the former Magnolia Electric Power headquarters building east of McComb.
Darrell Smith, Magnolia Electric general manager, is proud of the role the electric cooperative played in the expansion. “We were able to recognize a business, community, and national need, and fill that need with available real estate,” said Smith. “The mission of Magnolia Electric is to make lives better for our members. This expansion not only creates jobs in our territory but also provides a secure source for a critical product that is made in the U.S.A.”
This new expansion is expected to create 100 new jobs for the Pike County area. John Westbrook is appreciative of the support he has received in making this vision a reality. Westbrook states, “Gigantic Bag would like to thank Pike County Economic Development District, the Pike County Board of Supervisors, Magnolia Electric, and all others who supported and assisted us in making this expansion possible.”
Westbrook, a native of Summit, leads with more than 30 years of manufacturing and leadership experience. He was recently named Pike County’s Citizen of the Year by Enterprise Journal. In addition to Gigantic Bag, the Westbrook’s own and operate JD Warehouse. Donna Westbrook oversees JD Warehouse, a warehouse and transloading facility that serves more than 50 countries.
In addition to the recent expansion and the new positions it creates, John and Donna have collaborated with local government agencies to offer training and career development programs to new hires and transitioning workforce, as well as explore ways to help facilitate economic and personnel success to residents of Pike County.
As a result of the expansion, the company will be hiring for additional positions. Interested applicants should send resumes to the email address: jobs@giganticbags.com.
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About Gigantic Bag Co., LLC
Gigantic Bag is a company headquartered in Summit, Mississippi, that specializes in manufacturing “Plastics with Purpose,” which is quality polyethylene films and bags designed specifically for jobs that plastics do best, like biohazard cleanup, medical supply, industrial liners, and more. Gigantic Bag serves a variety of industries including manufacturing, industrial, commercial, packaging, medical, and food industries. They offer a large portfolio of custom-made products such as film, sheeting, tubing, shrink bundling, liners, and a wide variety of bag styles for use in packaging ice, furniture, medical supplies, and everything in between. They also offer a large variety of packaging products. Please visit www.giganticbag.com and www.rollsforgoals.com.