A major Atlanta materials handling firm is moving its operations to Clayton County, bringing millions of dollars in investment.
Briggs Equipment will formally announce its move Friday at a press conference at its new facility near Hartsfield International Airport, according to Grant Wainscott, director of the Clayton County Office of Economic Development. In addition to the 100 jobs being transferred to the area, Briggs likely will hire another 20 to 25 people in the next two years, Wainscott said.
The materials handling firm provides short and long-term rentals of forklifts and other equipment used to move items in industrial and warehouse settings, sells parts, services equipment, and sells new and used premier equipment.
Briggs, which is moving from the Fulton Industrial area, is the latest of several companies that have relocated to the southside near the airport in the last few years. German automaker Porsche left Sandy Springs and is building its North American headquarters and state-of-the-arts test track on the former Ford Motor Company site near the airport. It is bringing about 300 jobs and is expected to hire 100 more people when it opens late next year. A military logistics company called Final Mile Logistics opened about a year and a half ago with about 40 to 50 people.
Briggs purchased more than 120,000 square feet of space on Aviation Parkway, southwest of Porsche. The employee-owned company is one of the oldest materials handling equipment firms in the country.
“We are committed to the Atlanta market, and our expansion plans into Clayton County will provide a strategic platform to allow us to successfully grow where our clients can easily access our team,” said Darrell Williams, Briggs’ regional vice president.
Briggs also owns a Houston operation.
