Johnson Controls broke ground on an expansion of its air-handling unit manufacturing facility in Hattiesburg, Miss. The 22,000 ft² expansion will create approximately 50 new assembly jobs to boost production. The facility, which manufactures York and Miller-Picking brand systems, is increasing its footprint in response to growing demand for custom air-handling units.

The project, which will increase the facility’s size to 120,000 ft² and is scheduled to be completed in May, includes the relocation of several subassembly cells. It also opens more manufacturing space in the main plant. Johnson Controls will install a crane system to move products during the manufacturing process.  

Johnson Controls currently employs 225 workers at the facility. The existing plant was built in 1968, and the last building expansion was completed more than 20 years ago.