Jackson Jambalaya

I'm just now learning Primos (sporting calls, etc) sold a year or so back. Over time, and consistently, that brand will probably sell more than Viking.

How is a business owner choosing to sell HIS business a choice to keep the State's economy in last place? Easy to forget that Mr. Carl stepped up and sponsored the Viking Classic at a time when their business had been cut in half by the economy. If he hadn't stepped up, there probably wouldn't be a PGA event in Mississippi.

If this state wants to get out of the economic cellar, we need to figure out how to create more Fred Carls and Will Primos...not criticizing them for reaping the rewards of a lifetime of work.

One less thing to be proud of.

We need a Whole Foods in every Mississippi community. That will solve everything.

There were many PGA tour events in the SIP before Viking classic (see southern farm bureau) and there will be many more after it.

Well said Lumbergh!

The Ramey Agency was also part of the Viking properties. Does anybody know if they were sold too?

Fred has heavily invested himself and his business talent in the Greenwood economy for decades, also rebuilding the Alluvian Hotel. While most of the Delta was turning to shit and people with resources were bailing, he stood firm and sunk a fortune in the community.

Keep in mind that Bennie Thompson would have been first in line to support union organizing at the Viking plant. And still will be if he gets the chance or the new owners don't pull out.

don't forget Gail Pittman sold out to china a few years back...

Since when are entrepreneurs, especially successful ones like Mr. Carl and Ms. Pittman, under some holy obligation to forever stay obstinately Mississippi-bound, when a lucrative opportunity to sell arises? Lumbergh is spot-on. VERY well said, indeed!

Don't forget Lamar Life and Standard Life.

Another marbles-in-his-mouth comment from Lumbergh. The dang golf tourney has nothing to do with any of this.

Lumbergh is spot-on. For such a conservative blog, the comments are amazingly anti-business. Instead of complaing about Viking selling out, what we should be doing is having a thousand companies like Viking, here in MS. That way they could come and go without the endless hand-wringing and fear you guys are demonstrating.

9:02
You are correct.
The golf tournament has nothing to do with a bunch of envious asshole posters, who would sell in a second if only THEY had spent their lives building something of value.
I say more power to those that actually built something.

PPanther. Blah, blah, blah, blah.

Show the anti-business comments.

The tournament, 9:02, is a testament to the philanthropy of Mr. Carl. In that regard, it indeed has something 'to do with this'. Those chirping about selling out remind me of the Clarion Ledger's position ten or so years ago when some were abandoning Capitol Street and government offices were looking at moving out of town.

Eric Stringfellow devoted an entire column to his (Gannett's) position that those inhabiting downtown owed it to the community to stay there forever and not enrich themselves or their business footprint by moving north of County Line. In other words, By God, go down with the ship no matter what.

Mr. Carl has more than done 'his part'. The same is true, I assume, of Mrs. Pittman. And Mr. Primos.

Truth be told...Viking has been in trouble for some time and most of the equity was not MS based.

That's the great part about this blog. For all of the fierce 'conservatism' preached, when Fred Carl opts to sell his business that he built, he's called a sell-out. He's accused of betraying his state.

But of course, building up a business and selling at a great opportunity is just standard capitalism, and should be lauded by those who follow this blog fanatically.

Of course, when you come from a state that rails about how it wants its 'freedoms' without federal interference, and at the same time is one of the highest per capita receivers of federal largesse, you get pretzel thoughts like above.

Viking is a great company. More than likely, the deal includes some continuing obligation for Mr. Carl to be involved in the Mississippi operation to prevent the thing so feared in this post. I don't know that, but neither do you as far as I can tell from the post.

I think what makes me sad is that its another very widely known name, a Mississippi company, that is not going to exist anymore. Its not wishing anything bad on the sellers/owners or denying that they deserve great things.

Its just sad to see our state's successful names (like Viking, McRaes, Jitney J, etc.) go by the wayside.

Despite assurances to the contrary from Viking and the new owners, I look for the business to leave Greenwood in a couple of years. Maybe sooner once the new owners get tired of dealing with Sen. David Jordan and the other idiots that comprise the Greenwood City Council. As for the Ramey Agency, it will be tough to replace the billings for Viking. I'm not sure how the billing was done since Viking actually owned the agency, but without Viking's business, the Ramey Agency will be hurting. Their work is mediocre at best. They're probably regretting their pricey move to Fondren about now. T

capitalism 101 aside, take a look at the home grown business landscape. rather than continue to grow the business, inheritors (and a few creators) cashed in. buyers have relocated, shut down or broken up. and downtown jackson, once a thriving center of local capitalism, is gutted. name one multigenerational privately created and owned local business with more than 50 employees. while viking may be a bad example of all of the above, another one bites the dust.

My question has always been, what did the selling families do with the money? Too often, as we have seen, the benefits of the sale go to a second or third generation that is much less distinguished than the founders. In that case, we can only hope that they will be generous, and many of them are. And then there are the less frequent instances where the beneficiaries take a good portion and reinvest it in new businesses. Slowly we are building up the capital base in our beleagured state.

Ramey could diversify and market Fondren's beautiful surface pipe based sewage system being built there. Maybe they could get some guest commentary from William Winter or Haley Fisackerly. Ramey could popularize a self-guided walking or biking tour to allow Fondrenites and other Jacksonioans to appreciate the engineering and green pipe aesthetics. Ramey relocated to Fondren at exactly the right time!

12:05, Let me take a shot at your question. Start with the two Mississippi Companies that are in Fortune's top 50 - Ergon (Lampton family) and Yates Construction and associated companies. While at it, Southern Pipe and Supply, Howard Industries, Sanderson Farms. I’m sure could go on, but…..

Frankly, I am happy and proud for those that build and "cash in" as has been said here. Oftentimes, the selling of these companies to others is a way to expand. Not everytime does the company leave - that is the job of our local officials, to provide an environment where they want to stay and expand some more.

I to worry that Viking may well move much of its base away from the Delta. Fred Carl fought hard to keep his business in his hometown and provide benefits for the area - and did it oftentimes while having to fight those he was trying to help. If Greenwood and the other Delta towns where he has provided employment don't step up and make the climate a welcome one, Viking's presses will be as idle as those of other companies that occupied these same facilities before Viking expanded into the buldings.

None of this means squat. WHOLE FOODS HAS CHOSEN JACKSON!

"Burke said...
My question has always been, what did the selling families do with the money?"

I can't get a grip on what difference that makes or what business it is of yours or mine, Burke.

Shadow - find my agreeing with you (at least, this time!) I assume they did whatever the hell they wanted to do with the money. It is theirs. Today's government tends to think it is the government's to do what they think is best, but so far, that is not the case. Too bad Burke obviously thinks differently.

As if folks with demonstrable assets are somehow obligated by a societal rule to fold their wealth back into the community. Or maybe redistribute their personal wealth as commanded in some fictitious Bible verse that nobody can pinpoint. Burke is left to ponder.

I must admit that I, too, am in strong agreement with Shadow this time. To say, or even imply, that a successful businessman/woman who sells at great profit has ANY obligation whatsoever to plow the proceeds back into the state in which they "grew" their enterprise, sounds miiiiiighty suspiciously like that stupid Obama assertion that "[they] didn't build that business!" Of course they did, and if they want to spend their windfall on vintage Ferraris, French chateaux, racehorses, or even whores, that "ain't nobody's business but their own".

As Burke pointed out, many, if not most, lucky beneficiaries do nice charitable things with their inherited pile. But that's optional, not obligatory. And I'd be lying if I didn't say that, had I been blessed enough to inherit more than a silver tea service, the first recipient of my $$ would be Air France or Alitalia, and it would be a one-way ticket. Mississippi is a sinking ship, and who, with any choice in the matter, would willingly go down with it?

The real wonder is why so many heirs STAY!

Viking Range was sold years ago, to Stephens Inc. of Little Rock, Arkansas. The real reason for the sale now is nothing to do with the wishes of Fred Carl, but rather the wishes of Stephens, to monetize their asset.

The real telltale piece of info in this press article is the quote from the Middleby CEO: "Middleby said Monday that it would incorporate its speed-cooking, induction and other technologies into Viking equipment, while REDUCING COSTS" (emphasis mine). So Middleby wants to be able to sell a Viking Range for $4000 instead of $8000. Which means the quality is going to go downhill, and there is no logical reason for this company to keep their production in Greenwood, MS.

Fred Carl and his wife are probably pushing 70. We can't all expect them to prop up the entire Delta on their own. They have done amazing things. It will be sad, though, when Viking leaves. I don't see any other way around it.

If I'm not mistaken, Fred is 64, but WTF difference does that make?