FLORENCE — Southwire, a manufacturer that boasts it “produces half of the cable used to transmit and distribute electricity throughout the nation,” plans an expansion at its Florence site. The move will boost production capacity by 30% and add about 120 jobs, the company said.
“At Southwire, we’re making a multi-year investment of more than a billion dollars to integrate newer and better equipment, systems and technology into our operations to increase efficiency, enhance competitiveness and ensure the operational capability and capacity to support our strategic growth,” Southwire president and CEO Rich Stinson said. “The Florence expansion is a testament to those efforts.”
The plant was acquired from Essex in 2006 to support Southwire’s production of commercial and residential building wire. This expansion will include approximately 340,000 square feet of added space for new equipment.
“Southwire is committed to remain generationally sustainable for the next 100 years and beyond and be an employer of choice, and we look forward to the growth opportunities that this expansion will bring to our company,” said Norman Adkins, president of wire and cable and COO.
The project will also include renovating the existing building, including locker rooms, training space, and an outdoor picnic and activity area.
“This investment will allow us to better service our customers safely and efficiently, and the Florence team and I are very excited about the expansion and what it means for the future,” plant manager Brian Davis said. “This expansion speaks volumes about the dedication, hard work and commitment of our team members, and we look forward to the opportunities that this expansion will bring.”
“Southwire’s investment project will create good-paying jobs in Florence while also enhancing the facility’s competitiveness and solidifying its future in the community,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “Southwire is a world-class company and a great corporate partner at the state and local level. We’re thrilled to see them grow and thrive in the Shoals area.”
Construction on the facility at 4251 Helton Drive in Florence is expected to begin soon and should be completed in 2025.
“Existing industries are the lifeblood of economic development,” Kevin Jackson, Shoals EDA president, said. “Their growth and expansions are a testament to the communities and employees they support. It’s always a great day when we can assist a gold-standard company, such as Southwire, with this expansion in Florence and Lauderdale County.
“This project will create a lasting positive impact on the entire Shoals region.”
