FLOWERS — Ten months from its grand opening, Mississippi ISA TanTec is off to a strong start, company officials said this week during a tour by state elected officials.

“It has been difficult in the beginning to find the right people, but we now have a very good workforce,” said Carl Flach, executive vice president of operations for ISA TanTec.

The industrial tannery started production in January and plans to continue growth at Ceres industrial park, Flach said.

“We plan in the next four years to be 370,” Flach said.

Flach, who oversees operations in the U.S., China and Vietnam, conducted a personal tour of the facility for Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, state Sen. Briggs Hopson, staffers from both offices and members of the media.

“This is making Mississippi a better place,” Reeves told TanTec workers gathered for a short address during the tour.

Reeves said he was impressed with the quality of leather produced by TanTec, which tans, packages and sells leather to shoe makers including Timberland, Wolverine, Deckers, Clarks, Merrell, Sperry, Rockport and New Balance, among other apparel makers.

“Keep making quality products. The more people who make quality products, he better it is for the economy of Mississippi,” Reeves said.

Flach told Reeves the company recently sent out leather samples to the U.S. military in hopes of securing a federal contract.

“They will only buy American-made leather with 100 percent American materials,” Flach said.

In August 2014, the county closed a $1.5 million deal on the former Calsonic plant at Ceres for use by TanTec.

The tannery is the first in the United States for German-invested corporation.