Saylor Wheel to locate facility in Mississippi

GREENWOOD, Miss. — Saylor Wheel L.L.C., a newly formed company, plans to locate a tire and wheel-assembly operation in Greenwood, a community of 14,000-plus residents in northern Mississippi about 125 miles south of Memphis, Tenn.

Saylor Wheel, which will make tire-wheel assemblies for the trailer industry at the new plant, will invest $23.4 million in refurbishing an existing structure into the plant. The company said it plans to employ 145.

“Two words come to mind regarding the start of Saylor Wheel: gratitude and teamwork,” David Saylor, president of Saylor Wheel, said, noting the many government entities and investors that helped bring the project forward.

“My gratitude for their help exceeds my reach for words. Now is the time to make wheels in the Delta"

The investment includes the purchase and rehabilitation of an existing building in Greenwood, as well the purchase of manufacturing and non-manufacturing equipment, the company said. It expects to begin operations later this year.

The company plans eventually to make steel wheels at the plant, Saylor told local media.

The structure in question is a warehouse the Greenwood-Leflore Industrial Park formerly operated by Birdsong Peanuts.

Saylor has been working on this project for the past 2 1/2 years, according to information posted on his LinkedIn page. Prior to this he was affiliated with Chinese wheel maker Zhejiang Jingu Co. Ltd. in various capacities for  about four years and previously he was president of Indiana Wheels Co.

The Mississippi Development Authority is providing an undisclosed amount of assistance to the project through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive. Leflore County and Greenwood also are assisting with the project.

The government support at all levels totals about $4.5 million.