Project manager gives Mazda Toyota construction update
It’s not true that Mazda Toyota, translated into English, means “jobs.” It could, of course. The joint venture between the giant Japanese automakers promises 4,000 jobs at the plant under construction in Huntsville and perhaps as many as 24,000 more indirect jobs across north Alabama. And a north Alabama native is at the center of this economic juggernaut. – AL.com
New Alabama gas tax to bring $1M to Russell County
The new Alabama gas tax has been in effect for two weeks. One local highway department says it’s going to make a major difference on some local roads. The Russell County Highway Department says the 6 cents per gallon tax this year and the extra 2 cents next year and in 2021 will bring nearly $1 million for the county to use for road repairs and repaving. It also means the roads will be repaired on a 25 to 20-year cycle instead of the current 70 to 80 years. – WTVM
O’Neal Industries acquires Tennessee tubing manufacturer
Alabama metals manufacturer O’Neal Industries last week acquired a Tennessee tubing producer in an effort to bolster its growth in “higher-valued” segments. G&L Manufacturing, based in Cookeville, Tennessee, with a second facility in Denver, Colorado, produces small-diameter, thin-wall tubing with proprietary forming and seam welding technology. The company’s tubing is made in stainless steel, titanium, nickel alloys, and Monel nickel-copper alloy. – ThomasNet
Ohio senator criticizes Goodyear, cites Gadsden plant layoffs
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown has picked a fight with Goodyear over its new Mexican tire plant and union job losses at the company’s long-time Alabama factory. The Ohio Democrat issued a press release Tuesday saying he wrote a letter to the Akron tire maker’s chief executive, Richard Kramer, urging the company to improve pay and benefits at its plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, that opened in 2017. “Your company recently laid off 170 employees at the Gadsden, Alabama, plant and proposed a buyout at that same facility.” – Beacon Journal
Sanders Trust moves to expand Tulsa rehab hospital
Birmingham’s The Sanders Trust has announced the expansion of the Tulsa, Okla. PAM (Post Acute Medical) Rehabilitation Hospital. The firm, a healthcare real estate investment company, acquired the facility for $24.5 million in July 2018, one year after it was built. Originally, the hospital had capacity of 40 beds. The addition will provide 13 new beds and approximately 8,100 square feet. – AL.com
BAE wins $318M contract for tank recovery vehicles
BAE Systems, the weapon’s manufacturer, said on Tuesday it had got a $318 million contract to upgrade M88 recovery vehicles to the M88A3 configuration designed for single-vehicle recovery of the latest version of the Abrams tank. The new configuration of largest armored recovery vehicles (ARV) currently in use by U.S. Armed Forces is eliminating the necessity of using two vehicles to raise and move the tanks, which have increased in weight in recent years. The work will be performed in Anniston and other locations. – DefenseBlog
Toyota to invest $391M to expand truck production in Texas
Toyota has selected San Antonio over its nine other U.S. plants for a $391 million expansion that will bring advanced manufacturing capabilities to its assembly plant and more supplier companies to the region over the next five years, company officials said Tuesday. Kevin Voelkel, senior vice president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas, made the announcement at a news conference with Toyota officials, local officials, and Gov. Greg Abbott Tuesday afternoon. – Rivard Report
