News
Montgomery landmark Chris’ Hot Dogs approaches 100th birthday
“People always ask us the secret to being in business for 100 years,” said Gus Katechis. “I always tell them, you just gotta be here. You’ve got to be here every day.” It’s a motto that Gus Katechis and his father, Theo, certainly live out; there’s rarely a day you don’t see both of them behind the counter at Chris’…
Hyundai marks 5 million Alabama-built engines — and counting
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Hyundai today celebrated the production of its 5 millionth Alabama-made engine, a key milestone for the company’s Montgomery auto operations. The event comes less than 12 years after the plant assembled its first Lambda six-cylinder engine in May 2005. Hyundai says its engine shops achieved this milestone faster than any other engine…
Study: Toyota engine plant supports 9,700 Alabama jobs
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Global automaker Toyota is a key contributor to Alabama’s economy, supporting an estimated 9,700 jobs at its Huntsville engine factory and its suppliers and spinoff operations. Those findings are part of a new study by the Center for Automotive Research, which also shows that one out of every 200 workers in Alabama…
Business Alabama publishes 2017 Economic Development Guide
From aerospace, automotive and agriculture to Zilkha biomass pellets, the ABCs of Alabama’s economy are broader and more diverse than ever, according to Business Alabama. The publication’s new 2017 Economic Development Guide provides a comprehensive examination of the important trends and developments that are shaping Alabama’s business world. The 104-page guide takes an in-depth look…
Cullman ranks as a top ‘micropolitan’ for economic development
CULLMAN, Alabama – Site Selection magazine placed Alabama among the top states in a new measure of economic development success, while Cullman ranked No. 2 in the publication’s ranking of top U.S. small cities. Cullman ranked behind only Findlay, Ohio, in the Site Selection “Top Micropolitan” list for the second consecutive year. The economic development-focused…
8 companies grab 2017 Alabama trade awards for exporting success
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Eight companies from across Alabama were honored today with 2017 Governor’s Trade Excellence Awards for their achievements in exporting goods and services around the world. Lt. Governor Kay Ivey presented the awards during a ceremony at the state Capitol, which was followed by a luncheon hosted by the Export Alabama Alliance. The…
GD Copper USA adding 40 jobs at Alabama manufacturing facility
THOMASVILLE, Alabama — GD Copper USA, the first U.S. manufacturing facility operated by China’s Golden Dragon Precise Copper Tube Group, said today that it is adding as many as 40 workers at its plant in Wilcox County. GD Copper’s facility in the Pine Hill community opened in 2014 and now employs 300 people. The 500,000-square-foot…
Auto supplier Grupo Antolin to open Alabama facility with 150 jobs
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Governor Robert Bentley announced today that global auto supplier Grupo Antolin plans to invest nearly $10.4 million to establish a manufacturing facility in Jefferson County that will employ 150 people by 2020. The Birmingham area location will add to Spain-based Grupo Antonlin’s extensive worldwide operating footprint, which includes 161 production plants and…
Cascades Sonoco to expand Alabama facility with $16M investment
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Canada-based Cascades Sonoco plans to invest $16 million to expand its Birmingham facility, creating 20 jobs. The investment will be made in water-based coating technology to provide coated paper and paperboard substrates using the company’s new FlexShield, FluteSHIELD and SurfSHIELD coatings. “This investment represents a significant geographic expansion for water-based products by…
GLOBAL POWER: Alabama engine operations fill key role for automakers
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Alabama is not only one of the top producers of vehicles in the U.S., it’s also a major source of the power under their hoods. Last year, state manufacturers combined to turn out more than 1.75 million engines, and those assembly lines continue to achieve new milestones this year. Leading the pack…