On Tuesday, automotive seating manufacturer Bridgewater Interiors (BWI) broke ground on a $12.5 million industrial expansion that is expected to create 35 new jobs at its Oxford facility.
The company advised in a release that its capital investment would be geared toward machinery and equipment, increase in headcount, and a building expansion to support warehousing needs.
Local city and Calhoun County elected officials joined with BWI company leadership to celebrate the kickoff of the 40,000-square-foot expansion.
According to Kelvin Wright, plant manager at BWI’s Oxford facility, the expansion would serve to establish “an infrastructure to meet customer demand” as the company grows.
Don Hopper, executive director of the Calhoun County Economic Development Council (EDC), praised the collaboration among local officials in helping jumpstart the project through tax abatements.
“We could not have gotten this project done without Mayor Alton Craft and Oxford’s City Council,” said Hopper. “They continue to support the EDC and our local manufacturing industries, which allows us to bring new jobs into the region.”
Oxford Mayor Alton Craft stated his city’s intentions of continuing to help local industry expand existing operations.
“Industry plays a vital role in the City of Oxford. Seeing this project now underway for Bridgewater Interiors brings our city great joy,” noted Craft. “This expansion means 35 new jobs for 35 families. Oxford will continue to grow and give families opportunities for a financial breakthrough, and that is celebrated by all of us. Thank you to Don Hopper, the Calhoun County EDC and Bridgewater for their continued dedication and hard work towards growing Oxford and the families’ economic vitality that live here.”
Bridgewater Interiors, LLC CFO John Cloud expressed gratitude to local leadership for their efforts to support the company’s growth project.
“After 18 years of successful operations in Calhoun County, Bridgewater Interiors is very pleased to embark on this next phase of growth and enhancement of our manufacturing footprint,” stated Cloud. “We highly value our relationship with the Calhoun County EDC, and their support and collaboration on this project is instrumental in allowing us to bring good-paying jobs and economic opportunities to the region.”
Bridgewater Interiors, which manufactures the complete seat systems for the Honda Pilot and Honda Passport produced nearby in Lincoln, opened in 2003 and currently employs more than 380 people.
BWI is ranked No. 3 on Black Enterprise’s Top 100 List for the nation’s largest black-owned businesses.
According to the company, work began on the site in July and the project is expected to be complete by the end of 2023.
Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
