1. Groundbreaking Held for Phase II of Robotics Park
The Alabama Robotics Technology Park (RTP) located in north Alabama is steadily becoming a reality. This project is a collaboration between the State of Alabama, Alabama Industrial Development Training, Calhoun Community College, and robotics industry leaders from across the nation. When completed, this three-phase facility will have an investment of approximately $73 million, including robotics equipment.
Gov. Riley attended a groundbreaking ceremony this week for Phase II of the project at the Robotics Technology Park near Calhoun Community College in Decatur. Riley was instrumental in conceiving the idea for the park, which is expected to be a magnet for industry as well as a training ground for students. Phase I of the Robotics Park is scheduled for a September grand opening.
Phase II will be the Advanced Research and Technology Center, designed for robotics research and development. It will include a test facility for companies in the robotics manufacturing industry and will also be used by NASA and the U.S. Army Military Command. Funding is yet to be secured for Phase III, planned as the Integration and Entrepreneurial Center where companies can build and adapt robots for new industries.
2. Redesigned Mercedes R-Class Rolls Out of Vance Plant
VANCE - An updated version of the Mercedes-Benz R-Class crossover is rolling off the automaker's assembly lines in Tuscaloosa County. Felyicia Jerald, a spokeswoman for Mercedes' Vance factory, said the R-Class has been redesigned for the 2011 model year.
Mercedes launched the R-Class in 1995 and touted it as a vehicle that features the elements of an SUV, a sedan and a luxury wagon. The redesign is an attempt to improve its U.S. popularity.
The vehicle has been successful in China, where nearly half of all Mercedes R-class vehicles are sold, but sales have been disappointing in the United States. Mercedes is attempting to spark a wider following for the vehicle in its redesign.
One of the key changes is a new front end, with more defined hood contours and a wider, higher radiator grille that is more steeply angled. The updated vehicle's overall appearance is meant to be more assertive than its predecessor.
3. Huntsville among Top Cities for Data Security Centers
Huntsville is ranked among the nation's top cities where financial services companies can place their data security operations, according to a study by a site-selection consultant.
The study, released this week by Princeton, N.J.-based The Boyd Co., found Huntsville to have the second-lowest annual cost - $11.38 million - for running a data security center. The report compared the costs of operating such a facility in 45 U.S. cities, including cities with the largest financial institutions like New York, Chicago, Charlotte, Boston and San Francisco and other metro areas that could meet certain site selection factors.
Another plus for Huntsville, said John Boyd Jr., a principal with the company, is that the University of Alabama in Huntsville houses one of Alabama's three National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education certified by the National Security Agency and the Homeland Security Department. "That distinguishes Huntsville tremendously," Boyd said.
4. German Auto Supplier Locates in Auburn
German based auto supplier, Tube Technology Systems AG has announced plans to locate its North American manufacturing operations in Auburn. Tube Technology Systems Inc. will produce brake tubes for the automotive industry. The company was awarded a contract from Volkswagen as a supplier for the first vehicle that will be manufactured in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The initial investment by Tube Technology Systems Inc. is approximately $1.4 million. Eight jobs will be created in Auburn in the first stage of this project.
5. EADS Moves 100 Employees to Mobile in Preparation for Bid
MOBILE -- EADS North America is expanding its footprint in Mobile, transferring more than 100 employees to the city as it prepares its bid for the U.S. Air Force tanker contract.
An EADS spokesman said the company leased about 36,000 square feet of office space in a pair of buildings near Bel Air Mall. The offices will house members of the company's contract capture team, currently located at EADS offices in Arlington, Va., and Melbourne, Fla., among other locations.
The move "is more evidence of our commitment to Mobile and a reflection of our commitment to winning this competition," said EADS spokesman Guy Hicks. Hicks said the team members are scheduled to arrive in Mobile later this month and will be responsible for managing the company's response to the Air Force's request for proposals on the tanker contract.
EADS, the parent company of Airbus, is battling Boeing Co. for the potential $40 billion deal. If successful, the company intends to assemble its KC-45 tankers at a $600 million, 1,500-worker factory to be constructed at Brookley Field in Mobile.
Bids on the 179-plane contract are due July 9, and the Air Force has said it expects to pick a winner by mid-November.
6. Alabama’s Graduate Rate Increase is 12th Highest in Nation
Gov. Bob Riley commented this month on the release of a report showing that Alabama had the 12th highest increase in the nation in its graduation rate over 10 years. The report, “Diplomas Count,” is an annual ranking of state graduation rates by Education Week magazine.
“There’s certainly more work to do and more improvements to make in our graduation rate, but I believe everyone can agree this shows Alabama has made real progress,” said Governor Riley. “Only 11 states saw a higher increase in their graduation rates.”
7. Corporate Headquarters To Locate in Montgomery, 70 New Jobs
For the second month in a row, Montgomery corporate, chamber, city and county leaders gathered to announce the recruitment of yet another corporate headquarters, bringing new jobs and payroll to the Capital City.
“Our team approach to economic development is working,” said Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange. “A group that included Montgomery Public Schools Superintendent Barbara Thompson, County Commission Chairman Elton Dean and the Chamber went to visit with the CNHI management team, and demonstrate Montgomery’s personal commitment to the future of their company and their employees,” said the Mayor.
Mayor Strange added that the long-standing support of The Retirement Systems of Alabama, led by Chief Executive Officer Dr. David Bronner, was another critical factor in the successful recruitment of CNHI.
CNHI will locate its corporate headquarters in the 12-story office building under construction by the Retirement Systems of Alabama (Supreme Court Complex) on Montgomery’s historic Dexter Avenue. The company plans to make the move upon completion of the building, expected sometime late next year or in 2012.
8. Plant Can’t Keep Up With Demand for Hyundais
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama had one of its busiest production months in May, but it didn't come close to meeting the demand for the Sonata and Santa Fe. The plant rolled out about 28,000 vehicles last month, but North American sales of the two vehicles made in Montgomery were 31,439.
That included 27,352 sales in the U.S. for the two Capital City-made vehicles plus another 4,087 in Canada. Overall, Hyundai sold 49,045 vehicles in the United States last month -- the company's best May for U.S. sales. Of those, 21,195 were Sonatas, which is almost double the 11,059 sold in May 2009. The company counted 1,573 Sonata sales in Canada, while it also sold 6,157 Santa Fes in the U.S. and 2,514 in Canada.
9. Faurecia To Open Second Plant in Tuscaloosa County, Add 148 Jobs
Faurecia, a French company that is one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers, has purchased the former Visteon plant in Tuscaloosa, where it plans to make automotive interior components for several auto companies.
This is the second factory that Faurecia has announced for Tuscaloosa in the past six months. It will be located in the Airport Industrial Park. Faurecia said it will add 148 jobs and invest about $13.5 million over the next five years as it adds more customers at the former Visteon plant, which is in the Airport Industrial Park. That plant currently has 68 employees and makes parts for Nissan, which has auto plants in Mississippi and Tennessee.
In November, Faurecia announced plans to build a $15 million, 105,000-square-foot plant in the Cedar Cove Technology Park in Cottondale. That plant will make automotive seating for Mercedes-Benz vehicles manufactured in Vance and is expected to employ 198 people by the end of 2012.
10. State, Business Team To Help Alabama Auto Industry
VANCE — The state and private industry are teaming up in an effort to help Alabama's automotive industry. Gov. Bob Riley announced a pilot program at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa County meant to help the state's auto suppliers improve their performance with economics, energy and the environment.
Gov. Riley said the program will help automotive suppliers improve energy efficiency, reduce pollution and train employees in "green" manufacturing practices. The program includes several state and federal agencies along with Alabama Power Co., Alabama Gas Corp., the Business Council of Alabama and the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association. The association's most recent survey showed that more than 48,000 people worked in Alabama's auto industry in 2007.
Alabama E3 will initially focus on 15 automotive suppliers around these cities, with more suppliers to be added later.