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Here is today's summary of economic development news, a free service of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, representing Alabama's private sector investment in economic development.  If you enjoy NewsFlash, thank an EDPA Partner

 

In this issue:
Harbert, Henderson join EDPA board of directors
Auto supplier completes expansion in Enterprise; hiring underway for 100 jobs
Toyota plant celebrates V6 engine expansion, production of 3 millionth engine in Huntsville
Anatomy of the deal: Why Remington chose Huntsville for $110M firearms plant
Sen. Shelby tours REHAU expansion
Sen. Jeff Sessions tours Fehrer Automotive plant, talks job training

 


Harbert, Henderson join EDPA board of directors
on February 18, 2014 

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama said today it has added two new members to its board of directors.

 

Billy L. Harbert Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of BL Harbert International LLC, and J. Gregory Henderson, president and CEO ofSoutheast Alabama Gas District, were appointed to the board at EDPA's board of directors meeting in Birmingham.

 

"I am delighted to welcome these corporate leaders to our board," Bill Taylor, EDPA president, said in a statement. "I'm confident that their considerable expertise in business and economic development will provide valuable insight and guidance to our organization. We are extremely fortunate to have them join us, and we are sure to benefit from their collective years of experience."


more...

 


 Auto supplier completes expansion in Enterprise; hiring underway for 100 jobs

on February 18, 2014 

ENTERPRISE, Alabama -- HS Automotive Alabama will formally open a new facility in Enterprise on Wednesday that is part of a 100-job expansion project.

 

The Korean company is an auto supplier that produces weather stripping, tubing and automotive pressure hoses for Hyundai, Kia, Chrysler and General Motors.
  
The project was announced last year and valued at $12 million. The new facility covers 65,000 square feet.

This marks the second expansion for the company's Enterprise operations. 



more...

[al.com]

 

 

 

 

 

 


Toyota plant celebrates V6 engine expansion, production of 3 millionth engine in Huntsville (photos)

on February 18, 2014 

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Nearly three years ago, a Toyota executive from Japan challenged Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama President Jim Bolte and his team to transform the Huntsville facility into the engine capital of the world.

 

Speaking to a large crowd this morning in Huntsville, Bolte said the 1.2 million-square-foot plant in North Huntsville Industrial Park is closer than ever to achieving that goal.

 

TMMAL, which is the only Toyota plant globally to produce four-cylinder, V6 and V8 engines under one roof, is celebrating the completion of its $80 million expansion and production of its 3 millionth engine, which rolled off the line today.

 

"This is like a grand slam, folks," said Bolte, who was joined by Toyota leaders from Japan. "... We're on our way to becoming the engine capital of the world."


more...

 

[al.com]

 

 

 

 


Anatomy of the deal: Why Remington chose Huntsville for $110M firearms plant 

on February 18, 2014 

 

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - After a long day touring the former Chrysler electronics plant near Huntsville International Airport and getting a crash course on the area's public schools, universities and community colleges, Remington Outdoor CEO George Kollitides and other top company executives went to dinner at Cotton Row.

They were joined on that chilly early December night by Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong, Chamber of Commerce leaders and Shane Davis, the city's point man on industrial recruitment efforts.

 

Gov. Robert Bentley and Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield were also there, having flown in unannounced to see where Huntsville stood on Remington's short list after the crucial site visit.


more...

 

[al.com]

 

 


Sen. Shelby tours REHAU expansion

By Tiffeny Owens/The Cullman Times

Feb. 18, 2014

 

U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby got a sneak peek of REHAU's newly expanded operations during a visit to the Cullman plant on his tour of North Alabama companies Monday.

Shelby, R- Tuscaloosa, met with senior plant leadership and spoke with a handful of REHAU's 800 employees at the tier-one supplier for Mercedes-Benz. Shelby got a first-hand look at expanded bumper assemblies for Mercedes vehicle lines after the plant's $100 million expansion doubled the facility's loading area.

"One-million square feet of manufacturing right here," Shelby said. "Isn't that good for Cullman."

Shelby said it was critical to hear from job creators and workers how federal policies were affecting economic growth and what Washington D.C. could do to create more jobs in Alabama. He plans to visit a business in each of the state's 67 counties during his break from Congress.


more..

 

[Cullman Times]


 

 

 


Sen. Jeff Sessions tours Fehrer Automotive plant, talks job training

on February 18, 2014 

GADSDEN, Alabama -- Sen. Jeff Sessions listened patiently Tuesday night as officials with Gadsden's Fehrer Automotive plant explained their biggest need - a trained workforce able to keep up with technical needs.  

 

At first, this may sound strange since Alabama has extensive job training programs, and federal resources for training on the kind of jobs Fehrer has. The plant near Interstate 59 manufactures seats for cars, including Mercedes and Volkswagen, and has operated since 2011 from an old AutoZone distribution center.  

 

But plant manager Daniel Rodriguez, and other company officials, said some job training programs only do part of the work needed in preparing employees. And Sessions agreed, saying there needs to be more flexibility in getting workers ready for the kinds of technically-intensive, high-paying jobs the state wants to continue to attract. 

 

more...

 

[al.com


 

 




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