BROOKHAVEN, Miss. (AP) - An Alabama lumber company is moving to open two facilities in Brookhaven and hire 15 to 20 employees by Feb. 1 to meet demand in Southwest Mississippi/Louisiana markets.

Great Southern Wood Preserving Inc. of Abbeville, Ala., whose YellaWood is promoted in television commercials by a pitchman in yellow cowboy garb, markets its pressure-treated pine for decks, fences, and landscaping projects under the YellaWood brand.

The company has purchased the wood treatment portion of the former Columbus Lumber Co. from new owners Rex Lumber Co. as well as the nearby Phillips mill, where outdoor products like deck accessories will be produced.

Company officials tell The Daily Leader in Brookhaven that it plans to spend $5 million on the facilities and market its products within 150 miles of Brookhaven.