Auto Supply Factory Coming to Alabama

The 279 jobs it brings will be welcome in a battered economy.

The factory coming to Muscle Shoals, AL will produce battery trays for electric cars.
The factory coming to Muscle Shoals, AL will produce battery trays for electric cars.
AP file

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. (AP) โ€” A $59 million manufacturing factory is coming to Alabama and will produce battery trays for electric vehicles.

The DURA Automotive Systems project, announced Tuesday, will help the state's automotive sector keep pace with the industry, said Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield.

โ€œDURA Automotive Systemsโ€™ decision to locate its EV battery tray manufacturing facility in Muscle Shoals reflects the expanding capabilities of the automotive supply chain for electric vehicle production in Alabama,โ€ Canfield said. โ€œOur auto industry is focused on the future and will continue to adapt to meet all challenges.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m very excited to see DURA Automotive Systems make a significant investment in Alabama and create career opportunities for our hard-working citizens in the Shoals,โ€ Gov. Kay Ivey said. โ€œDURA is a great addition to the network of world-class auto suppliers that is spreading across Sweet Home Alabama.โ€

The project will create 279 jobs, Al.com reported. DURA, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, is partnering with the Shoals Economic Development Authority on a $11.5 million expansion and build-out of building at the Shoals Research Airpark.

โ€œThis investment represents Duraโ€™s commitment to support global customers in the transition to electrified, high performance vehicles,โ€ DURA CEO Kimberly Rodriguez said, in a statement. โ€œWe are delighted to extend our well-established European expertise in design and manufacturing of lightweight structural architectures to the North American market."

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