“It’s a great day for Fayette!” was a phrase repeated several times in the announcement of the formation of Fayette Fabrication.
Governor Bentley and Fayette area leaders celebrated today the opening of an Alabama-owned start-up company that will manufacture and refurbish the “racking systems” used to transport finished parts from the automotive supplier firms to the auto manufacturers, such as Mercedes. Following intense research into this market, Fayette Fabrication investors recognized the growing demand for these products, and the fact that customers are underserved, since most precision steel rack manufacturers are still located in northern states serving the original automotive hub in the Midwest U.S. In addition to the parts racks required by suppliers (auto parts manufacturers), the auto manufacturing plants themselves use a variety of racks and carts to move and deliver parts on the production floor where they will be used/assembled. As a result, Fayette Fabrication plans to provide these custom-built units to fill another of the “missing pieces” of the growing automotive industrial sector in the Southeast U.S.
The company will invest approximately $1.5 million in equipment and inventory and expects to create 50 well-paying jobs within the next 2-3 years. Fayette Fab will occupy approximately 50,000 square feet of a 135,000 square foot former manufacturing facility on US 171 South in Fayette, which is only a 45 minute drive north of Tuscaloosa. Many of the initial targeted customers are located in the Tuscaloosa market. The close proximity to the Tuscaloosa market will greatly reduce shipping costs and time involved in service and delivery.
The President and CEO Mark McClanahan is a Decatur native and has extensive experience in the automotive industry. He has spent over 20 years with GM-Saginaw (now known as Nexteer Automotive) in Michigan, Spain, Germany, as well as, in Decatur where he managed one of their two plants. McClanahan stated, “The technical talent and solid work ethic in Fayette make precision steel rack manufacturing a great fit to serve the automotive sector across the USA, not just the Southeast. I am excited to be part of it.”
Governor Bentley welcomed the home-grown company by stating, “I am honored to open another supplier for Alabama’s automotive manufacturing facilities, Fayette Fabrication. Automotive manufacturing is one of the targeted sectors for growth in Accelerate Alabama, and today’s grand opening is proof that the industry is continuing to grow. These jobs will provide a good opportunity for the people in Fayette County, and I appreciate Fayette Fabrication’s commitment to the people in Fayette.”
Fayette Mayor Ray Nelson shared that, “The City of Fayette is very excited to have Fayette Fabrication and these much needed jobs to locate in Fayette County.”He thanked all who were involved, including “Governor Robert Bentley, C3 Economic Development Alliance President David Thornell, ADECA, Ron Davis, President of the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association, members of the Fayette City Council and the Fayette County Commissioners.”
The remaining space within the building will be developed as an Incubator to accommodate and grow other start-up firms. This project is now in the final planning phase, with an announcement expected by the end of the first quarter of this year.
For Further Information, Contact: David Thornell, President, C3 of Northwest Alabama Economic Development Alliance (representing Fayette, Lamar and Marion Counties) dthornell@northwestalabamaeda.org or call cell at 205-270-0006, office at 205-468-3213
Last modified: January 28, 2014
