International Automotive Components (IAC) is investing $55.9 million to expand two Alabama plants, a move the company says will create 182 new jobs.
IAC makes components for vehicle manufacturers; the two facilities the company is expanding are in Tuscaloosa County and Calhoun County.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, whose office announced the news, remarked Monday, “International Automotive Components is a leading global auto supplier, and I am pleased that this world-class company is growing significantly in Alabama and creating good jobs in Cottondale and Anniston.”
The IAC plant in the small Tuscaloosa County community of Cottondale is the larger investment at an estimated $34.3 million. That commitment will include a much larger facility and create 119 new jobs. IAC Cottondale makes door panels and overhead systems.
“Alabama was the logical choice due to its skilled workforce and proximity to the customer,” said Nick Skwiat, president of IAC North America.
He added, “We are excited to see the continued growth of the automotive industry in Alabama and we plan to grow right along with it. We thank the Governor and Secretary Canfield for their leadership in this sector.”
IAC is putting $21.6 million into its Anniston plant, located in what used to be Fort McClellan. The investment is predicted to create 63 new positions at the plant, which makes interior components like instrument panels, among other items.
Anniston Mayor Jack Draper said in a release, “The City of Anniston is excited that IAC has made the decision to expand here. I have enjoyed working with the leadership at IAC, the Calhoun County EDC, and the state of Alabama to get this project finalized.”
IAC has 67 locations spread among 17 countries, including a presence in seven U.S. states besides Alabama. The firm is headquartered in Luxembourg and employs 18,000 people across the globe.
“With operations around the globe, IAC is the kind of high-performance company that we want in Alabama’s auto supply chain to help fuel sustainable growth,” advised Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.
He concluded, “We look forward to working with IAC and facilitating its future growth in this strategic industrial sector.”
Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95
