News
Birmingham region attracts $1.1 billion in 2015 investment
The Birmingham Business Alliance said today that economic development activity during 2015 in its seven-county region resulted in more than 3,500 new and future jobs, along with nearly $1.1 billion in capital investment. The BBA said significant project announcements in 2015 included: Auto supplier Kamtek’s $535 million expansion at its Birmingham manufacturing facility, which included…
Auto supplier Mando launching $19 million Alabama expansion
OPELIKA, Alabama – Mando America Corp. plans to invest $19 million in its Alabama manufacturing operation and hire 32 new workers to support the expansion, officials said Tuesday night. South Korea-based Mando, one of the world’s largest auto parts suppliers, has based its North American headquarters in Opelika, where it makes brake components, suspension modules…
Alabama blacksmiths lend talents to Belgium war memorial
A group of Alabama blacksmiths is helping to create a war memorial that will be erected in Ypres, Belgium, later this year. Athens Forge is made up of professional blacksmiths, hobbyists and other people who are interested in the ancient craft. The 45-member group, one of nine across the state that comprise the nonprofit Alabama…
Alabama firm unveils new high-performance pickups
A Trussville-based specialty vehicle manufacturer has debuted the latest versions of an off-road, high-performance pickup that’s a key part of its product lineup. SCA Performance is rolling out to dealers the redesigned 2016 Black Widow, which is built on both the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra platforms. Features of the new Black Widow include a…
Honda debuts redesigned Alabama-made Acura MDX
Honda debuted a redesigned 2017 Acura MDX luxury sport utility at the New York International Auto Show, making it the latest in a string of new or updated models joining production lines in Alabama. The all-new MDX, which will be built at Honda’s manufacturing plant in Talladega County, is expected to arrive in dealer showrooms…
Images: Airbus A321 completes test flight in Mobile
MOBILE, Alabama — The maiden flight of the first Alabama-made Airbus A321 lasted for less than four hours, but the dramatic images capturing the test mission will linger as a reminder of a pivotal moment in the future of the state’s aerospace sector. Monday’s test flight from Mobile Aeroplex was designed to test the aircraft’s…
First Alabama-made Airbus A321 makes initial test flight
MOBILE, Alabama – Airbus test pilots this morning completed the maiden flight of the company’s first Alabama-made A321 passenger jet, carrying out on a three-hour mission designed to evaluate the plane’s performance and systems. The flight began shortly after 9:30 this morning from the airstrip at the Mobile Aeroplex, the site of Airbus’ new $600…
Game-changing Alabama projects claim investment awards
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – A national trade publication selected three 2015 Alabama economic development projects, valued at a combined $2 billion, for its elite investment awards, reflecting the powerful impact of these collaborative recruitment efforts. Editors at Trade & Industry Development magazine evaluated hundreds of projects from across the U.S. before selecting the 30 winners of…
Alabama trade team finds opportunities in Spain, Morocco
Spain and Morocco put out the welcome mat this week for Alabama business leaders, who visited the countries in an effort to strengthen trade ties. The 16-member state delegation is nearing the end of the trade mission, which kicked off in Spain with business-to-business meetings, networking opportunities and visits to several companies with a major…
Huntsville high-tech startup RadioBro opens Germany office
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – RadioBro Corp., a start-up firm that makes miniature electronics systems for airplanes and spacecraft, has opened an office in Bremen, Germany, as it targets connections in the European aerospace industry. Brothers Mark, Eric and Daniel Becnel founded RadioBro in Huntsville in March 2014. The firm’s products include MiniSatCom, a lightweight spacecraft radio,…