OXFORD, Alabama — Wellborn Cabinet inaugurated its new, $28 million manufacturing facility in Calhoun County with a ceremony this week that marked a milestone for the region’s growing manufacturing sector.
The 250,000-square-foot First Haven Cabinetry facility began operations in August and currently employs 85 people.
Located on 60 acres in the Oxford West Industrial Park, the new facility is expected to create over 400 new jobs, and once fully operational, it will produce approximately 2,000 cabinets a day, contributing to economic growth and development in Calhoun County and surrounding communities.
Johnny Simpson, CEO of Wellborn Cabinet, stated the plant — and U.S. facilities like it — will benefit from new tariffs announced by the Trump administration on imported kitchen cabinets and vanities, citing national security.
“We commend this bold and necessary action, which will help ensure that this facility and others like it across the nation reach their full potential,” Simpson said.
The Ashland, Alabama-based company’s expansion project was announced in 2022.
Paul Wellborn, president and chairman of the board, reflected on the company’s journey from its early days to this milestone.
“What makes the struggles a lot easier is having good people around you,” Wellborn said. “I thank God for the people who have made this company what it is. It all comes from Him.
The First Haven product line features laminated, value-driven cabinetry designed for today’s entry-level remodeling and new-construction markets, which primarilyserve kitchens and bathrooms.
“This is a big day for Oxford,” Mayor Alton Craft said. “This is something I have wanted for a long, long time.”
Calhoun County Economic Development Council (EDC) Executive Director Don Hopper expressed gratitude for the collaboration that made the project possible.
“The company was being heavily recruited while searching for a new location, but through strong partnerships and proactive engagement, we were able to showcase why this area was the right choice,” he said.
Larry Deason, Chairman of the Calhoun County EDC, said a growth project like Wellborn Cabinet’s represents the kind of investment that continues to drive opportunity and prosperity across the region.
“Their commitment to sustainability and community values aligns perfectly with the vision we have for this area,” Deason said.
