News
Bonnie Plants opens expanded greenhouse facilities after Alabama expansion
UNION SPRINGS, Alabama — Bonnie Plants, the nation’s largest grower of vegetable and herb plants for home gardens, today unveiled a multimillion-dollar expansion and upgrade of the company’s greenhouse facilities in rural Bullock County. Opelika-based Bonnie Plants said the new growing and distribution facilities in Union Springs are designed to strengthen e-commerce operations and improve production,…
Governor Ivey honors 7 Alabama companies for exporting success
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey today recognized seven Alabama companies for success in selling their goods and services in markets across the globe, helping to sustain robust export activities that create jobs and spark economic growth across the state. In addition, Governor Ivey recognized William Cummins, executive state director of the Alabama Small Business…
Evonik plans to invest $176.5 million in Alabama expansion project
MOBILE, Alabama — German specialty chemicals company Evonik announced today that it is launching an expansion project at its Mobile area manufacturing facility that will bolster its animal nutrition business line while also reducing the site’s carbon footprint. Plans call for Evonik to build a plant at its Mobile County site to produce methyl mercaptan,…
Alabama exports regain momentum with 22% increase in 2021
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey announced today that Alabama’s exports in 2021 surged more than 20% in value compared to the previous year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and indicating the underlying resilience of the state’s economy. New federal government figures show that Alabama’s exports of goods and services totaled nearly $20.9 billion last year, above…
Commerce taps Christina Stimpson to lead international trade efforts
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — The Alabama Department of Commerce announced today that Christina Stimpson, an international business professional with experience in export promotion, foreign direct investment strategy and business recruitment, will take the helm of the department’s Office of International Trade later this month. Stimpson comes to Commerce from the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, where…
Commerce’s Lockhart retires after 24 years of helping Alabama firms go global
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Hilda Lockhart, the international business expert who helped countless Alabama companies explore new markets and opportunities in every corner of the globe, is retiring from her position at the Alabama Department of Commerce. For the past 24 years, Lockhart has served as director of Commerce’s Office of International Trade, which is responsible…
Airbus Alabama facility in line to build tanker aircraft with Lockheed Martin
MOBILE, Alabama — The Airbus manufacturing facility in Mobile is poised for potential growth thanks to plans announced today by the aerospace company and Lockheed Martin to collaborate on a refueling tanker aircraft if the partners win an Air Force competition. Outlined today at a press conference at its Alabama facility, Airbus said it would…
Dura opens high-tech factory in Muscle Shoals for EV battery enclosures
MUSCLE SHOALS, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey joined officials with Dura Automotive Systems today to celebrate the formal unveiling of the company’s new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Muscle Shoals, which will produce electric vehicle battery enclosures. The 200,000-square-foot facility is expected to employ more than 270 full-time workers at peak production, with an estimated investment…
Mazda Toyota Manufacturing marks production launch of Mazda CX-50
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Mazda Toyota Manufacturing today marked the start of mass production of the all-new Mazda CX-50 sport utility at the joint venture assembly plant in Alabama, with cheers from the plant’s workforce. The launch ceremony featured guests and high-ranking Mazda executives, including Mazda North American Operations President and CEO Jeff Guyton. MTM said…
Alabama automakers gear up for new milestones in 2022
Alabama’s automakers are eyeing growth on many fronts in 2022, with plans for new models, additional employees and advanced technology that will help usher in the next era of vehicle manufacturing in the state. Mazda Toyota Manufacturing will continue to ramp up its auto assembly operations in Huntsville, following a year that saw the debut…