Sims Bark, a Major Big Box Supplier, Expands its Mulch and Soil Business to Florala

If you live in the American South and have ever bought a bag of mulch from Lowe’s, there’s a good chance that it was made by Sims Bark. This family-owned business has been operational since 1974 and runs several mulch and soil manufacturing facilities across Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Indiana. It most recently expanded to Florala, where it is developing its newest facility.

Andy Johnson, Vice President of Operations at Sims Bark, says his team is currently in the first phase of plant development. In the next few months, the company will transition to phase two, which will take about two years. This is when Sims Bark will be fully operational in Florala.

Learn more about this business and why it chose Covington County for its latest facility. 

Covington County is a Valuable Location for Sims Bark

The new Florala facility will allow Sims Bark to supply mulch to any Lowe’s location or similar home improvement store south of Montgomery and across the Florida panhandle. The company already has a location in Tuscumbia, Alabama that supports the northern half of the state.  

Covington County is a strategic location for businesses because of its convenient interstate access. It is tucked between I-65 and I-10, with multiple highways connecting to those interstates. For Sims Bark, Florala also had available land that could be used to create mulch, soil, and landscape rocks.

Sims Bark bought a local peanut field, moved half a million yards of dirt to prepare it for use, and has recently started pouring concrete that will support its equipment  

“We’re happy that Sims Bark saw the value of opening a facility in Florala and intend to support its growth efforts,” says Rick Clifton, President and CEO of the Covington County Economic Development Commission (CCEDC). “By opening doors for new businesses, we can ensure they have a smoother expansion into the region, which will also help Covington County grow.”

Sims Bark Has Had a Positive Experience in Covington County

Johnson has only good things to say about Covington County and his experience working with various organizations to open a facility in Florala. A welcoming community makes it easier for businesses to open their doors, and the residents of Covington County are happy to support all industries. 

“I’m very impressed by the people here and how nice and helpful they are,” says Johnson. “I’ve built plants across the Eastern half of the country and the people in Covington County are nicer than anywhere else I’ve been.”

Johnson also commented on the efficiency of working in the region. “People do what they say they’re going to do here and get it done,” he says. “It’s great.” 

Sims Bark Will be a Valuable Partner to Local Companies 

Eventually, Sims Bark will reach a stage in development where it can accept raw materials from local suppliers. Sawmills, companies that clear land, and other businesses that use Southeast Alabama’s natural resources will be able to work with Sims Bark to provide materials to create mulch. This ensures that nothing goes to waste in Covington County.

“Sims Bark is a great example of how businesses can’t operate in a vacuum,” says Jacob Morgan, Vice President of the CCEDC who headed the recruitment of the project. “This company’s presence in Florala will benefit countless businesses in the area. These partnerships will only make companies in the region stronger and more resilient.”

Sims Bark could also be a job creator for Florala, supporting individuals in Covington County. Its presence will have multiple positive ripple effects in the region. 

Learn More About Businesses Coming to Covington County

Sims Bark is just one company that has discovered the value of moving to Covington County. Businesses across a variety of other industries are moving to the Wiregrass region of Alabama. Follow the CCEDC for additional news updates on companies choosing to call this region home. Our strong labor pool and affordable utilities make Covington County a competitive place for business expansion.