Lazy Magnolia owner calls workforce training programs ‘essential’ to the successful brewery

February 2, 2016

Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company, a young Hancock County industry operating in Stennis International Airpark, just celebrated its 10th anniversary of production with its newest brew “# 10.”     

Lazy Magnolia has taken advantage of the consortium training events coordinated by HCPHC, and following is what Leslie Henderson, owner and plant manager, remarked about the workforce training and on-the-job training programs that the State of Mississippi offers its industries.

“Lazy Magnolia is a small start-up in a very low profit margin industry. The consortium training opportunities are an incredibly valuable resource. Without them we would not be able to provide such high quality learning experiences for our team.  

“While all of the training has enriched our team, some of it is absolutely essential to staying in business. The First Aid/CPR classes allow us to have a CPR-trained employee in every department on every shift. The Forklift Operation and OSHA classes gave us the tools to keep our employees safe and our business compliant with industry standards. The Lean Manufacturing and 5S classes and workshops opened our eyes to easy ways to save money while improving quality. The Leadership Coaching Class has had the greatest impact of all. Every time the class is offered we make the time to send at least three team members. Lee Reid is such an engaging instructor.

“The On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program has provided enormous benefit to Lazy Magnolia and our employees. Labor is our number one cost, but our budget is painfully tight. Without this program we would have been forced to delay hiring, delay raises and delay some much deserved promotions. The OJT funds gave us breathing room to hire the people we need and to pay everyone fairly. The training plans that we developed, as part of the program, became a great tool for coaching and performance improvement. The end result of this program, for Lazy Magnolia, has been a better trained and more highly compensated workforce capable of making excellent quality products that will fuel our continued growth.”  

With its new, 30,000-square-foot expansion from 10,000 square feet to a total of 40,000 square feet, today, Lazy Magnolia is the state’s largest brewery, whose job base has expanded to 35 employees. Plans for future expansions are in the works.