SHANNON — Upholstered furniture maker Alan White

Co. is laying off more than 300 workers at its facility in Shannon.

It is the fourth such announcement in six months for the $4 billion furniture industry in Mississippi, which employs some 21,000 workers.

Privately held Alan White, which was founded in 1953 and is Shannon’s largest employer, also has operations in Stamps, Ark., and Memphis.

In a statement released Wednesday, the company cited “chronic and overwhelming industry pressures.” Specifically, the company pointed to intense price competition, increased material costs related to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and a shrinking customer base.

Officials said the Shannon plant began closing on Jan. 12 “and will liquidate assets in a controlled manner to meet as many obligations as possible.” It is expected to shutdown the plant at the end of the month.

In a related development, Shannon-based Industrial Timber, a supplier for Alan White, is also closing, putting another 38 people out of work.

Denise Bentele, a spokeswoman for Alan White, said the company will help workers.

“The company is going to do anything and everything it can to help the employees find jobs,” she said. “It’s even calling other employers to help them find jobs.”